“No punishment the state could pursue compares to having to live with responsibility for your best friend’s death,” prosecutor says

by VDC staff

The mother of a Lyndon man killed in an October crash told a Caledonia County judge Monday that a swiftly reached plea deal in the case fell short of justice, according to a report in the Caledonian-Record, the daily newspaper published in St. Johnsbury.

The Feb. 3 news story by editor Dana Gray reports that Terha Steen spoke during the sentencing of Luke Dudas, 21, who pleaded guilty to grossly negligent operation resulting in death in the Oct. 10, 2025 crash that killed her son, Whit Steen, 21. Dudas received a four-year deferred sentence with probation, meaning the felony charge will be dismissed if he successfully completes the term.

“I don’t know what true justice looks like at this point,” Steen told the court. “But this is not it.”

Dudas pleaded guilty less than three days after the crash under a deal that dismissed charges of drunken driving with a fatality and initially dismissed a misdemeanor charge of lying to police. Prosecutors said the quick resolution was driven by concerns that Dudas, because of his age, could have sought youthful offender status, potentially moving the case to family court.

Caledonia County State’s Attorney Claire Burns said the agreement emphasized rehabilitation and public safety, citing Dudas’ lack of criminal history and the extensive conditions of probation, including alcohol restrictions, mental health treatment and 200 hours of community service.

“No punishment the state could pursue compares to having to live with responsibility for your best friend’s death,” Burns said, while apologizing to the Steens for the speed of the case.

After objections from Whit Steen’s parents, Burns reinstated the charge of providing false information to police. Dudas pleaded guilty Monday, and that conviction will remain on his record.

Judge Bonnie Badgewick approved the sentencing agreement, calling it “not perfect” but consistent with the purposes of criminal justice, including punishment, deterrence and rehabilitation. She noted that violations of probation could trigger reinstatement of the more serious felony charge.

Dudas briefly addressed the court, expressing remorse and describing Whit as his lifelong best friend. “I want to make Whit proud,” he said.

Steen said she hopes the case leads to better treatment of crime victims in the future. “This process has been profoundly offensive,” she said, adding that the resolution left her family feeling their son’s death was rushed aside.