96-year-old revealed the heartbreaking reason he was speeding and judge knew he had to dismiss the case
When a 96-year-old dad was accused of speeding and was brought to court, no one had anticipated that his appeal would move even the judge to tears. The elderly man was driving with his 63-year-old son when he was caught speeding, as per Independent.co.uk. As anyone would wonder, even Judge Frank Caprio, preceding the hearing, was curious to understand and wondered if there was an unexpected reason for the same—turns out there was.
Mr. Coella revealed that he received a letter stating that he had violated the speeding limit while driving, per WPRI. “I read the darn thing I said, ‘What the heck is this?’ It said, ‘You were speeding 30 miles an hour in a restricted zone,” the man recalled. When he read further, he realized he’d have to pay a fine of $75. “I said $75? I'm not going to pay that,” he said. The man decided to go to court and object to the fine by justifying his actions— and for the right reasons. The elderly man appeared in court and very confidently defended himself. “I don’t drive that fast, Judge. I’m 96 years old and I drive slowly. I only drive when I have to,” he mentioned. The man went on to explain that he had been driving his son to the doctor’s to get “blood work” done.
The judge was a little shocked to hear the father's words but continued to listen to what he had to say. Mr. Coella’s 63-year-old is handicapped and had cancer and his dad had been going with him for routine blood work. As he explained the same to the judge, his eyes started welling up. Caprio, too, was moved to hear the reason Mr. Coella shared. He then decided to speak to the man and eventually deliver a verdict. “You are a good man. You really are what America is all about,” he noted, before commending him for being a great example of a father. “Here you are in your nineties and you’re still taking care of your family. It’s just a wonderful thing for you,” he continued.
Sharing the final word, Caprio remarked, “I wish the best for your son and I wish you good health and your case is dismissed. Good luck to you and God bless you.” The 96-year-old was moved to tears. Even in his interview, he commended the judge before sharing that doing duty as a father is nothing great, only natural. “They took care of me. Yeah, they took care of me. No, we're a close family – one hand washes the other,” he remarked, with tears of relief and gratitude. Moved by the judge’s humane verdict and the dad’s selfless care, people are inspired. @christywright3430 said, “To all the elderly parents helping to take care of disabled "kids", we are blessed beyond belief to have you.” @deborahcopeland4795 remarked, “Real mothers and fathers are always mothers and fathers. Love to all parents out there. We ‘children’ couldn’t live without them.”