The husband of a woman killed in a 2014 car crash offered not only a glimpse into her service-filled life, but also forgiveness to the man who caused her death.
During the sentencing hearing for Joseph Barrera Jr., Lane Fosnaugh delivered a moving message in tribute to his late wife, Janelle Fosnaugh, 52, as he described her years growing up with missionary parents in South Africa and her own lifetime of service as a missionary to impoverished places like Papua New Guinea, Haiti and the Philippines while raising their three daughters.
“She loved to love people. Her love and concern was palpable,” Fosnaugh said.
The day before the crash, Fosnaugh said he and his wife had been welcomed to a new church in the area. They’d driven through Valparaiso to house-hunt and prayed that God would bless their transition to a new church. As a missionary, Fosnaugh said his wife had moved 37 times and was not looking forward to packing and moving again.
Her life ended March 31, 2014, in a field in the 2200 block of East 109th Avenue near Winfield. Barrera was driving east on 109th Avenue and crossed into the westbound lane, where he struck the 2003 Honda Civic Janelle Fosnaugh was driving and also struck a second car whose driver had minor injuries. Barrera said he had marijuana in his system and that he was traveling between 55 and 65 mph in the 40 mph zone at the time of the crash.
Fosnaugh described walking up to their mangled 2003 Honda Civic mangled car, which came to rest on its side, and the officer who told him his wife had died.
“I found her shoe, scuffed and bloodstained, near the car,” he said.
Fosnaugh wiped away tears, as did many of the 10 family members in attendance at the Wednesday hearing. Then he looked directly at Barrera and said, “Justice has a counter-balance. It’s called grace and forgiveness.
“I don’t know if you have remorse for killing my wife,” he said, adding, “You’re forgiven.”
“I pray that you will live well. May the Lord bless you and keep you. May he make his face shine upon you. May he turn toward you and give you peace,” Fosnaugh said.
Barrera, 29, of Lakes of the Four Seasons, stood and faced the Fosnaugh family as he apologized.
“I’m sorry for everything that happened. It was not maliciously done. I’m sorry for hurting your family so much,” he said.
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Barrera pleaded guilty to reckless homicide in exchange for an eight-year sentence — four years in Lake County Community Corrections, followed by four years on probation. Barrera must complete drug treatment and perform 150 hours of community service, which deputy prosecutor Judy Massa said the Fosnaugh family hopes will be in service to others.
After Lake Superior Court Judge Diane Ross Boswell imposed the sentence, she said, “I’m not often at a loss for words, but I think all that needed to be said was said. It certainly was a moving statement.”
Afterward, members of Fosnaugh’s family spoke amiably with Barrera’s wife, children and other family members in the hallway outside court.
Ruth Ann Krause is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.