Vermont man charged for car crash that led to his two daughters

 

A Vermont man will spend at least three years in prison in connection with a 2021 car crash in Littleton that killed his two daughters.

Jordan Couture, 39, pleaded guilty Tuesday to several charges, including negligent homicide in connection with the crash that killed his 7- and 10-year-old daughters.

Prosecutors said Couture was driving 20 mph over the speed limit with unprescribed drugs in his system when his truck rolled over on I-93 in Littleton. They said his Vermont license was suspended at the time, his truck wasn't registered, and neither of his two children had their seat belts buckled.

"Mr. Couture loved his daughters with every fiber of his being, and he has to live with that day for the rest of his life," defense attorney Elroy Sequeira said.

Couture's family members wrote the judge letters about his character, and his wife addressed the court with tears in her eyes, saying Couture was an amazing father.

"Our girls wouldn't have wanted this," Jessica Gokey Couture said. "Jordan has been through enough with this accident. Our girls loved him to pieces. He was an amazing father. I don't care what his record has to say."

Judge Lawrence MacLeod said he was concerned about Couture's prior motor vehicle record in Vermont, but he ultimately accepted the guilty pleas.

"You were tempting fate. That's what your record tells me. And, sadly, that came to fruition," MacLeod said. "My heart goes out to you folks. This process is not going to heal your wounds, sadly. But I will accept your pleas."

Couture was sentenced to three to seven years in prison with another three to seven years suspended.