Judge Sentences Defendant in Fatal Crash to Fifteen Years

Seattle Woman Grieves Loss of Parents in Automobile Accident

After pleading no contest to charges of second-degree murder, the driver in a fatal collision in San Luis last year was handed a prison term of fifteen years to life by the judge.

The accident was the result of emotional trauma brought on by a recent break-up, the defendant told the court. The twenty-year old man was distraught by the end of his relationship, and decided to attempt to harm himself while driving on the highway. As reported by police, the driver intentionally swerved off the road, crashing through a fence, and flying onto Pismo Beach, where he struck an elderly couple from Washington that were walking on the sidewalk.

The daughter of the slain couple was in attendance at court during the sentencing. She told the judge that she and her young children had had a vital part of their lives torn from them. Her parents were avid travelers, she said, and had spent most of their retirement years traveling across the northern United States and Canada. They were in San Luis for the Clam Festival, an annual tradition for the pair, when they were killed in the auto accident.

Defendant Chided For Apparent Lack Of Remorse

During the initial hearing process, the defendant chose to plead nolo contendere, or no contest, to the two counts of second-degree murder against him. He faced a potential sentence of thirty years to life for the charges.

The judge said during sentencing that she felt somewhat lenient towards him for the decision to spare the family a contested trial. She added, however, that she did not believe the man had shown enough remorse during the proceedings.

When asked if he had anything to say to the daughter, who had driven down from Seattle to be present, he chose to remain silent, an act which may have influenced the judge's sentencing. According to California law, the man will be eligible for parole in fifteen years depending on his behavior during his prison sentence.

Seek a Personal Injury Lawyer in Seattle to Help You Today

If you have lost a loved one to the negligent actions of another, it is imperative that you do everything in your power to hold the reckless person who hurt you responsible and ensure that he or she is unable to repeat the mistake. At Ward Smith, PLLC, our legal team is ready to aid you in your quest for justice. A  Seattle personal injury attorney from our firm can guide you through this difficult process, seeking the best outcome for you and your family with compassion and dedication.