Dale Satorius said he had hoped for tougher consequences than a $111 fine.

But that's what retired Pennsylvania Department of Transportation driver Parke F. Hoover received Friday after pleading guilty to a minor moving violation related to an August crash in Perry County that killed Satorius' wife of 11 years.

Satorius, a suburban Seattle father of two, said he was disappointed in state trooper Kevin Frey's decision Friday to allow Hoover to plead to the traffic offense without first consulting the district attorney, his supervisor or other investigators in the case.

In another twist, the 47-year-old Frey also retired Friday.

Satorius said the trooper’s action sets a bad example.

“This adds credence to truckers who want to drive recklessly,” he said. “Now they know they can do this and only get a ticket — even if they kill someone.”

Hoover didn’t return a phone message seeking comment. The 61-year-old retired 10 days after the Aug. 2 crash, PennDOT spokesman Greg Penny said.

A message left for Frey at his home Monday was not returned.

Due to Frey's action, District Attorney Charles Chenot III said it would be almost impossible for authorities to file any other charges in the case.

Chenot had considered homicide by vehicle or involuntary manslaughter charges, but Frey said the case lacked the reckless conduct or gross negligence needed for such charges.

On Friday, Frey told a reporter that he did what he thought was right and that he’d given Chenot that day to take action.

“I gave him until my last day to make a decision. I made the decision on my last day to do what I did,” Frey said. “I’m the one who has to sleep at night.” Frey said he didn’t tell his supervisor or other troopers of his plan to file the minor charge “because it was my investigation, and I already knew their opinion.”

Double jeopardy laws in Pennsylvania preclude authorities from prosecuting someone for an offense that has the same elements as another offense.

Wesley Oliver, an associate professor of law at Widener University in Susquehanna Township, said he believes prosecutors would not have been able to file homicide by vehicle charges against Hoover because of the trooper’s action.

But case law would allow prosecutors to file involuntary manslaughter charges in the case if they believed Hoover’s reckless conduct caused Hui Satorius’ death, Oliver said. The elements of the two charges are different in that homicide by vehicle alleges a reckless traffic offense led to someone’s death and involuntary manslaughter simply states someone’s reckless conduct — legal or illegal — caused the death, Oliver said.

However, questions involving double jeopardy laws would allow a defense attorney to appeal such charges to a higher court prior to trial, Oliver said.

“Double jeopardy doctrines are notoriously complex, turn on technicalities and are poorly understood,” Oliver said.

Hoover tried to make a U-turn with the dump truck he was driving in the middle of the highway and, in doing so, struck the passenger’s side of the Ford Crown Victoria rental car the Satorius family was traveling in, according to state police. The family was on its way to visit Dale Satorius’ parents, who live in Williamsport.

The crash report lists Hoover’s action as improper/careless turning. When interviewed by police after the crash, Hoover said: “It was my fault. I did it. I take full responsibility,” according to the report.

Before making the turn, Hoover said he checked his left side-view mirror, saw nothing coming behind him and surmised the northbound lanes were clear, according to the report.

Dale Satorius said he was driving about 55 mph when he saw the dump truck, and it looked as if it was parked on the side of the road. When he was about 150 feet away, he noticed its wheels were spinning, but he said he wasn’t sure what it was doing.

That’s just about the last thing he remembers before impact.

Hui Satorius died at the scene. Their 5-year-old daughter needed her scalp sewn back together and continues to deal with complications from her skull fractures. Her 7-year-old brother, along with their dad, had minor injuries.

Dale Satorius filed a civil suit against PennDOT seeking damages for the medical bills, legal fees and pain and suffering he’s endured. The case is pending.

Satorius’ attorney lashed out at Frey for his handling of the case. He encouraged the district attorney’s office and the state police to investigate Frey’s actions and do whatever they can to find out if the guilty plea can be invalidated.

Attorney Christopher Marzzacco also took issues with the comments posted on PennLive.com, The Patriot-News’ affiliated website, from someone claiming to be Frey and defending his actions.

“It is simply incomprehensible and unacceptable that this former member of law enforcement would act on his own without regard for established prosecutorial and investigative protocol,” Marzzacco said. “And then respond publicly to comments posted on PennLive by members of the community, the majority of whom sympathized with the Satorius family and respected the ongoing investigate effort of the Perry County District Attorney’s office.”

Trooper Michele Davis, a state police spokeswoman, said troopers typically consult with the district attorney before filing charges.

When asked if Frey would have faced sanctions based on his actions, she said: “Based on the DA’s concerns the information would have been reviewed according to agency protocol and actions would have been taken appropriately.”

Meanwhile, Satorius, a Boeing engineer, continues to stay busy to keep his mind off the loss of his wife.

Keeping busy is not hard, considering he’s left raising two young children on his own. He spends his mornings taking the kids to day care, reading to them at night and helping Julie recover from her injuries.

He’s had to use more sick leave and vacation to take care of his kids. He doesn’t travel as much anymore.

A few times a month, he heads to the cemetery to spend time with the woman he fell in love with and married a decade ago.

With how chaotic his life’s been since the crash, it’s one of the only places he can be alone with his thoughts and say a prayer.

“That’s the only place on earth where I can visit my wife,” he said. “I know she’s in heaven.”