It was difficult for many local residents to get their heads around details in serious charges filed last week against a part-time Nesquehoning police officer.

Patrolman Steven Homanko, 26, of Beaver Meadows, is accused by Pennsylvania State Police of causing a crash that killed Carola Sauers, a physical therapy assistant, and severely injured her husband Michael, a second-grade teacher.Police say Homanko's police cruiser soared up to 113 mph in a 55 mph zone on Route 209 in Nesquehoning on May 12, 2014.The idea of any vehicle reaching 113 mph in that locale challenges the imagination.The two-lane roadway clings to a steep mountainside and offers no shoulder or safety zone.It's a safe bet the unsuspecting Sauers couple had no way to avoid an oncoming missile approaching at a speed more typical of NASCAR.But that's exactly what happened, police say.Homanko lost control of his cruiser and smashed into the couple's Toyota Yaris.State police Cpl. Todd Tolan, in reconstructing the collision, reported that the cruiser was in good working order.In addition, nothing was on the road to cause a crash, he said."While traveling at that speed, Homanko lost control of his vehicle and traveled into the opposite lane of travel, striking the vehicle occupied by Michael and Carola Sauers," Tolan wrote in his report.Carola died of her injuries shortly later. As for Michael, he lay in a hospital bed for a month undergoing surgeries. Today, he lives with effects of life-altering injuries.Understandably, Sauers wants Homanko to be held fully accountable, and it looks as if that will happen.On Wednesday, Homanko was arraigned before District Judge Casimir Kosciolek of Lansford on felony vehicular homicide, involuntary manslaughter, felony aggravated assault by vehicle and related charges.As the case winds its way through the legal system, it's important to put Homanko's actions in perspective.If he recklessly sped 113 mph, as police believe, he did so with total disregard for public safety.Those actions aren't typical of local police, most of whom do an outstanding job on a daily basis.In this case, the shortcomings of one person mustn't taint an entire group.Homanko's poor judgment isn't indicative of the fine work of the Nesquehoning Police Department or any of our other local men and women in blue.Our thoughts go out to Sauers as he tries to regain his health while dealing with the loss of his life mate.He'll undoubtedly suffer mental and physical scars for the rest of his life.If Homanko is found guilty as charged, whatever punishment is meted out will never bring back Carola to the husband who loved her.The best we can hope for is prosecution of an out-of-control cop and a measure of satisfaction that emerges.Justice, in cases such as this, falls short.By DONALD R. SERFASSdserfass@tnonline.com