Often when we think of drunk-driving accidents that injure or kill someone, we think first of the victim, followed by the wrong committed by the driver. Most cases are multi-faceted, though, affecting many more people than just the driver and victim.
Consider the case of a 23-year-old Oregon man who was convicted this week in connection with a crash that killed one of his passengers. The crash happened in the early-morning hours of Aug. 6, 2011. After finishing his work shift at midnight, the man had a malt liquor drink and went to meet up with some friends at a bar. After drinking more there, the man, his wife and three friends left in his SUV and headed north on Highway 217. As they reached the interchange to U.S. Highway 26 in Beaverton, the SUV went over a concrete barrier and landed on a grassy median. One of his backseat passengers was ejected from the vehicle and died at the scene. Three other passengers were injured.
The SUV driver was eventually arrested and charged with one count each of second-degree manslaughter and driving under the influence of intoxicants, as well as three counts of fourth-degree assault. After originally pleading not guilty, he agreed to a plea deal resulting in a reduced charge of criminally negligent homicide, along with the assault and DUII charges. He was sentenced to three years and four months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. His driver's license was also revoked for life and he must pay several fines and fees, including a $20,000 compensatory fine.
Usually there's an instinct to vilify the driver who causes a fatal DUII crash, but it's important to remember that many lives have been profoundly affected, including the defendant's. Not only must he live with the fact that he was responsible for taking another person's life by way of an error in judgment, but his family will now suffer. His mother told the judge that the crash has torn apart her family, in part because her son was the head of the household. Calling him generous and caring, she reminds us that despite his actions that night, her son is a human being who is heavily relied on and loved.
Source: Oregon Live, "Driver in fatal crash at Oregon 217-U.S. 26 interchange sent to prison," Roger Gregory, April 24, 2012
No Comments
Leave a comment