Driver In Fatal Accident Pleads Guilty To Charges

Judge Sentences St. Louis Man To Eight Years After Tragic Car Crash Slays Victim

A local man was given a long prison sentence after he entered a blind guilty plea, leaving him at the mercy of a judge without a prearranged plea agreement.

As recorded in the court documents relating to the case, the man was responsible for a tragic automobile accident that took the life of another driver and severely injured two other passengers. On October 30^th, 2010, an officer with the St. Louis County police department was driving north on Halls Ferry Road, having just gotten off-duty, when he saw a car go speeding past. He registered the vehicle as traveling at approximately 65 miles per hour, in a 35 to 40 mile per hour zone.

The officer turned on his lights and quickly turned around to pull the man over. Seeing this, the driver allegedly sped up, before striking another vehicle almost immediately afterward.

Suspect Tells Police He Was Intoxicated At Scene Of Accident

The driver of the car was a 23-year old local St. Louis native. He later informed authorities that he had been at a nightclub, where he had been drinking along with two women, who were passengers in his car at the time of the accident. He had been chosen to drive, he said, because the other two were drunk.

He admitted to officers at the scene, however, that he was intoxicated, and that he had sped up to avoid earning a DWI charge. A blood alcohol content test showed a result of .10 percent, just over the legal limit to drive of .08.

In the aftermath of the violent collision, which caused the victim's vehicle to burst into flames, several witnesses including the original police officer attempted to free her from the burning wreckage, but were repelled by the fire. By the time emergency responders arrived, it was too late, and the 43-year old woman succumbed to her injuries.

Charged with vehicular homicide, the suspect chose to enter a guilty plea without first arranging for a plea bargain on his behalf. Based on this factor, as well as his lack of any prior convictions, the judge chose to be relatively lenient, giving him an eight-year sentence out of a maximum of fifteen years. The victim is survived by her mother and two children.

Contact a St. Louis personal injury lawyer today!

The wrongful death of a loved one to a preventable accident is a tragedy of unimaginable proportions. With the aid of a dedicated and compassionate St. Louis personal injury attorney, it is possible to hold accountable the negligent person who is responsible for your loss. At the Schultz Legal Group, we adhere to the simple principal that every client deserves the strongest representation in court possible. We will fight on your behalf to secure maximum compensation for the trauma and pain you have suffered.

Contact a St. Louis wrongful death attorney right away to discuss your case free of charge.