Driving under the influence of alcohol can result in an individual making bad choices. When the alcohol is coupled with drugs, a driver’s capacity to think clearly is even further degraded. A Utah man arguably made the wrong choices on the day that he caused a DUI-related crash that killed three people — his girlfriend and two of his younger relatives.
The ordeal began when a police officer attempted to initiate a traffic stop on May 17, 2014. The vehicle involved was being driven by the now 24-year-old man and was traveling at a reported 60 mph despite the fact that the posted speed limit was only 35. The driver failed to pull over and instead fled the scene.
During the chase, the vehicle reportedly got up to 103 mph for an unspecified amount of time before the driver lost control and the crash occurred. The driver suffered critical injuries, but survived. The other three were killed in the impact.
In March 2015, the Utah man pleaded guilty to DUI automobile homicide (two counts) and for failing to stop for the officer. Another homicide charge was dropped in accordance with the plea bargain negotiated with prosecutors. He is facing incarceration in a state prison for one to 15 years.
When facing a significant amount of time in prison as a result of a DUI-related accident, it is important to determine if going to trial would be worth the risk. Reviewing the evidence prosecutors intend to present at trial could help make the choice. Negotiating a plea bargain could provide an individual with a guaranteed maximum penalty and an opportunity to convince the court that any imprisonment ordered be on the lower end of the sentencing guidelines.
Source: deseretnews.com, “DUI driver in triple-fatal crash sentenced to prison“, McKenzie Romero, May 12, 2015
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