Devoted 96-Year-Old Dad Melts Hearts Shortly After Speaking With Judge In Court

Apr 22, 2021 by apost team

While the legal system is often cruel and unjust, every once in a while a story comes out of the courts that is bound to warm readers’ hearts. Whether it's a friendly judge or an inspiring story of someone overcoming adversity, there have been dozens of uplifting cases in the past few years. That was certainly the case in April 2019 when a then 96-year-old Johnston, Rhode Island man named Victor Colella appeared in court for a speeding ticket. The nonagenarian, who still drives every week to take his son to cancer treatment, was caught by an automated speed trap while driving on the back roads in Providence. Although Colella was only 6 mph over the speed limit, he had to pay $75 in fines.

Rather than simply pay the ticket, Colella decided to challenge it in court. Little did Colella know that not only was his court appearance being recorded for a television show, but that it would soon go viral. Since Colella appeared in court in April 2020, the clip of the devoted 96-year-old father can be found nearly everywhere online. Why did this man’s story resonate so well with hundreds of thousands of internet strangers? Apart from the impressive feat of contesting a ticket in court at 96, Colella struck readers and viewers across the globe with his dedication to his son, which really comes through during the court video. In this story, we’ll take a closer look at Colella’s life, along with the events that led up to him becoming a viral sensation on YouTube.

According to WPRI, a local Rhode Island news outlet, Colella was born in 1923. After a full life of more than nine decades, the Johnston resident enjoys a weekly routine that allows him to enjoy the simple pleasures of life. He listens to his favorite Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra tracks, watches Yankees games, eats at his local go-to restaurant and picks up fresh bread from the bakery.

On top of that, the 96-year-old also continues to take care of his son, Richard, who is battling cancer.

Richard, who is 64, moves “slowly and deliberately” with his two canes, and thus he wouldn’t be able to go to the doctor for his bi-monthly blood tests on his own. Luckily, Colella drives him. It was during one of these bi-monthly doctor visits when a school speeding camera captured the 96-year-old’s license plate number for going 6 mph over the speed limit. Shortly thereafter, he received a ticket in the mail. 

“I read the darn thing and I said, ‘What the heck is this?’ It said, ‘You were speeding 30 miles an hour in a restricted zone,'” Colella told WPRI. “When I read the bottom and it said $75, I said, ‘$75? I’m not going to pay that! I’m going to court and I’m going to object to it.'”

That's when Colella decided to appear in court to appeal the ticket. When he arrived, he had to wait 45 minutes for his turn in front of Providence Municipal Court Judge Frank Caprio. Providence residents might know Caprio from his television show “Caught in Providence,” where the judge hears real cases. 

It’s thanks to Caprio’s show, which was recording the day Colella challenged the parking ticket, that this 96-year-old man is a viral sensation today.

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“I don’t drive that fast, judge,” Colella says in the viral courtroom video. “I’m 96 years old and I drive slowly, and I only drive when I have to. I was going to the blood work for my boy. He’s handicapped.”

“I take him for blood work every two weeks because he’s got cancer,” Colella says in the courtroom before pausing and getting emotional.

Caprio, who was visibly moved by Colella and his dedication to his son, let the man go without having to pay the fine.

“I wish you all the best,” the judge says. “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.”

Colella had no idea that he would become a Rhode Island sensation in the coming days. One of the first signs that Colella had gone viral was when his neighbor asked for his autograph.

“He said, ‘You’re a celebrity!’ I said, ‘What do you mean I’m a celebrity?’ He said, ‘Could I have your autograph?’ I thought he was busting me!” Colella told WPRI.

From then on, Colella became an internet celebrity, and family members from around the country began to phone the man to tell him that they’d seen him on TV.

Colella’s appearance on the show has accumulated over 3.5 million views since it was uploaded to YouTube in April 2019 and thousands of viewers have left positive comments.

“If this man didn’t melt your heart, then you don’t have one,” a viewer wrote.

In a more recent March 2020 video from the “Caught In Providence” Facebook page, Colella opened up about his life in a tearful interview that has inspired even more viewers from around the world.

What do you think of Colella’s story? Did he deserve to get a speeding ticket? Let us know — and be sure to pass this heartwarming story on to others.