PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A Philadelphia judge sentenced now 19-year-old Aleksandr Melnikov to six to 12 months in prison Thursday for the vehicular manslaughter of a Philadelphia police officer in 2022.
The courtroom was filled with tears as both the defendant’s loved ones and the family of Officer Henry Gonski took to the stand.
Gonski’s sister, Suzanne, and mother, Constance, told the court Gonski was a dedicated public servant for more than 25 years.
His mother testified, saying he would take her to all her doctor's appointments, shopping and errands trips, and even took care of her when she was sick since her daughter lives an hour away.
“This is what you call justice: waiting 15 months,” Constance said. “You know, it's like my son and her brother; he didn't deserve this. He was a good guy. He was a good police officer and was devoted to his men.”
Suzanne recalled how he would have tea parties and play legos with their 8-year-old adopted niece and read a letter to the court from neice, expressing how much she misses her uncle.
“Just slow down, abide by the laws. We all drive a little bit fast but there's no need to go three times the speed limit,” Suzanne said. “My brother, you know, was the example. Unfortunately, nobody should be driving three times the legal speed limit … and it took a life.”
Prosecutors say Melnikov, who was 18 at the time, was driving about 80-100 mph in a residential area near Bustleton Avenue and Rennard Street when he t-boned Gonski’s car in June 2022, killing him. Gonski was just a couple blocks from his home when it happened.
Defense Attorney Shaka Johnson called it a “foolish decision to speed,” saying Melnikov mistimed the light.
Through sobs, his mother told the court as his girlfriend translated that it was just the two of them after his father left them and went back to Ukraine. They say at a young age Melnikov worked multiple jobs to support his mother, even driving to her job to help her clean offices after he got off.
In July, Melnikov pleaded guilty to homicide by vehicle and involuntary manslaughter charges.
Pointing to his “repeated pattern,” Judge Lillian Ransom gave Melnikov 40 hours of community service at a youth center to raise awareness of the potential consequences of speeding in addition to the sentencing.
Melnikov has to surrender on Oct. 11.