Driver in Fatal DUI Accident Gets 6 to 18 Years in Prison

A judge has sentenced a Bohemia man convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) and causing a fatal accident that killed a Medford couple to six to 18 years in prison.

The judge handed down the sentence January 20 in a case stemming from an accident that occurred last April. The 23-year-old man slammed into a pickup truck carrying a husband and wife, who both died from their injuries. Officers discovered the driver’s blood alcohol content level was .19 percent — more than twice the legal limit. He also ran a red light and was traveling at more than 100 miles per hour immediately before the crash.

The man pleaded guilty to all charges in part to spare the family of the victims from having to deal with a drawn-out trial, according to his attorney. He will now spend at least six years behind bars, with a longer sentence possible if he does not meet certain requirements.

DUI causing death has serious consequences

Drunk driving is a serious enough offense without the presence of aggravating factors such as injuries, deaths, extremely high blood alcohol levels and various other reckless driving factors (such as the ones present in this case). When those factors are present, prosecutors tend to seek felony charges, which carry more stringent consequences compared to misdemeanors.

Additionally, even after the criminal process is complete, the person who committed the DUI could still face civil action from victims or their families, who may wish to recover compensation for the injuries and pain and suffering they’ve experienced.

If you or someone close to you has been seriously injured in a crash resulting from another party’s negligence, consult a dedicated car accident attorney with Jakubowski, Robertson, Maffei, Goldsmith & Tartaglia, LLP.