The Wayne County District Attorney’s Office announced that Justin Krocke, age 37, formerly of Union Street in the town of Marion was sentenced Monday (12/15) before the Honorable John Grow in Wayne County Court to an indeterminate term of 2 to 6 years in state prison, following his prior guilty plea to Manslaughter in the Second Degree.

This case arose from a fatal motorcycle crash that occurred on November 7, 2024, on West Union Street in the Village of Newark. Mr. Krocke drove his motorcycle up on the sidewalk and lost control after attempting to re-enter the  roadway. Krocke’s wife, Kelley Smith, age 36, was as a passenger  and was ejected from the motorcycle and transported to Newark Wayne Community Hospital, where she later died from her injuries.

At the time of his original arrest, Krocke  was charged with Manslaughter in the 2nd Degree (C felony), Vehicular Manslaughter in the 2nd Degree (D felony), Driving a Motor Vehicle While Impaired by Drugs (misdemeanor), Reckless Driving (Misdemeanor), and numerous traffic violations. He was actually originally indicted for the Manslaughter, Recklessly Causing a Death and Reckless Driving.

District Attorney Christine K. Callanan stated, “A life was lost as a direct result of the defendant’s actions, and the impact of that loss is permanent and immeasurable. The sentence imposed by the Court reflects the gravity of this offense and affirms that conduct resulting in the death of another person will be met with serious consequences.”

The District Attorney’s Office commends the Newark Police Department and the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office Crash Team for their exceptional professionalism, diligence, and dedication to duty. Their careful work and unwavering commitment to public safety were essential in this successful prosecution of this case.

Since the accident resulting in the death of his wife, Krocke had also been arrested on July 13th of this year, for Rape in the First Degree, Assault in the Second Degree; and Criminal Obstruction of Breathing.

In another case since his wife’s death, on On Friday (8/1) was arrested for Criminal Contempt in the Second Degree after violating restrictions set forth in a Stay Away Order of Protection with a female in Marion from the July case.

The July charges were either dismissed, or rolled over into the Manslaughter sentencing and the August Criminal Contempt in the Second Degree charge resulted in a one year Wayne County Jail sentence that will run concurrently with his Manslaughter charge