A 53-year-old man could spend up to 20 years in jail after pleading guilty to involuntary manslaughter and drunk driving. In his legal proceedings, the man was accused of killing a couple from Ashburn, Virginia, who were riding a motorcycle not far from their home. The tragic motor vehicle accident occurred at approximately 1 a.m. on a Sunday morning last October.
According to authorities, the 44-year-old woman and 52-year-old man who died in the accident were traveling westbound along Ashburn Farm Parkway, when they were struck by a BMW being driven by the 53-year-old accused man. The BMW driver, who had been traveling eastbound, was trying to make a left turn into a shopping plaza when he hit the motorcyclists. Both motorcyclists suffered catastrophic injury and, although they were rushed to the hospital, doctors were not able to save them.
In the recent court proceedings, a police officer testified that he detected the odor of alcohol on the BMW driver’s breath when he responded to the accident scene. The officer said that the man also failed several field sobriety tests and that his shirt buttons and jean buttons were undone. Police alleged that the man’s blood alcohol content was 0.22 percent, which is almost three times the legal limit of 0.08 percent in Virginia. The man ultimately pleaded guilty, both to two counts of DUI involuntary manslaughter and to DUI first offense.
Whenever a Virginia resident loses a loved one in a DUI car accident, it is a difficult reality to face. However, relatives may wish to investigate the pursuit of a wrongful death claim for financial restitution relating to the deaths of their loved ones in the motor vehicle accident. Also, in the event that the alleged DUI driver is convicted and punished for the crime in criminal court, this evidence can be used to strengthen any wrongful death claims, which will ultimately be pursued in state civil court.
Source: Leesburgtoday, “Ashburn Man Pleads Guilty In Double Fatality DUI Crash” Aug. 01, 2014