Most Florida residents have heard the horror stories of drunk driving accidents that take the lives of innocent people leaving friends and families to grieve the loss of their loved ones. These unnecessary and completely avoidable accidents sadly continue to happen despite public awareness that driving after drinking is indeed dangerous – and even deadly.
One of these accidents took place in October of 2014 and the driver involved was recently sentenced for his role. Reports indicate that the drunk driver was found to have a blood alcohol content of 0.21 percent at the time of the crash that killed a six-year-old little boy. The driver himself was not even legally able to drink being only 19 at the time. Through witness reports and red-light cameras it was also ascertained that the man was driving over 90 miles per hour in a 45-mile-per-hour zone.
Since the accident, the driver has not stopped drinking and has also reportedly used marijuana. He has been convicted for DUI manslaughter and DUI with serious bodily injury. For these offenses, he was sentenced to 14 years and six months in prison. He has also been ordered to pay the family restitution although it is not known how much this may be. His license has been permanently revoked and he will also have a five-year probation period after he is released from prison.
Families who suffer the through these tragic and traumatic events might wish to contact an attorney to learn about their options for pursuing compensation. This, in addition to criminal sanctions, may be a way to keep getting the message out that drinking and driving should stop.
Source: Sun Sentinel, “Driver sentenced to prison in DUI crash that killed boy, 6,” Linda Trischitta, Jan. 19, 2017