DADE CITY, Fla. — Nearly two years after 26-year-old Anthony Pivacek was killed in a DUI crash, his family said they are ready for the legal process to finally end.
"I hope that we come to a resolution," said James Pivacek, Anthony Pivacek's father. "I hope that I never have to come back here again."
Anthony's family reached out to Tampa Bay 28 months ago, and since then, reporter Annette Gutierrez has been following their fight for justice—while also sharing Anthony’s story.
Anthony died in July 2024 when a drunk driver hit his truck, causing it to burst into flames, leaving his body initially unrecognizable according to Florida Highway Patrol reports.
His father has traveled from Nashville to Dade City nearly every eight weeks since then for court hearings, determined to represent his son’s memory.
“He’s not here to represent himself, so I have to be here,” James said, adding that each trip forces him to relive painful memories.
The man accused, Kevin Marshall, faces multiple felony charges in connection with the crash. At the last hearing in August, a judge set a February 5 deadline for a plea deal; otherwise, the case would go to trial on February 9.
Marshall’s defense attorney, Justin Petredis, said he expects the case to be resolved without trial, with his client prepared to accept a “significant prison sentence” followed by probation.
"I really am extremely, extremely confident this will not be a jury trial," Petredis said.
While Petredis described Marshall as a family man with five children and no prior criminal record, he acknowledged the seriousness of the crime and the harm it caused both families.
“These crimes are terrible because they break up two families,” he said.
For the Pivacek family, the legal proceedings have become an exhausting routine that forces them to confront their loss repeatedly.
"I feel like I'm a customer at this point - and I know what's happening, and I don't like the feeling," James Pivacek said. "You can't put a number on your loved one."
The judge will determine Marshall's sentence Thursday morning, potentially ending a legal journey that has stretched across nearly two years for both families involved.
The judge is scheduled to decide Marshall’s sentence on Thursday morning in Dade City. The Pivacek family said they hope that the hearing will be their last and that justice will finally be served.
Share Your Story with Annette
Annette Gutierrez knows safety is important for every community. She’s focused on finding solutions and getting results for both crime and our roads. She takes pride in sharing stories from Sarasota and Manatee counties, so send Annette tips on how she can help.
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