The Delco Times has reported that a prison sentence has been given to a man that drove under the influence and caused the death of one student, and the life-threatening injuries of another.
The two victims, D.G. and F.D., both 22, were college roommates and were due to graduate this year from Villanova.
The convicted man, D.S., is responsible for the death of D.G. and the injuries sustained by F.D.
Judge Frank T. Hazel sentenced D.S. to 13 to 26 years in prison.
D.S. pleaded guilty to homicide by vehicle while driving drunk and on PCP when he had driven a stolen SUV and crashed into the vehicle driven by D.G.
Defense attorney Edward Weiss stood next to D.S. as he entered his plea.
Deputy District Attorney Daniel McDevitt said that none of the victim’s families attended court but were in agreement with the terms.
McDevitt told the court that after D.S. struck him, D.G.’s car smashed into a stone wall, killing him instantly. His passenger, F.D., had to be airlifted to the University of Pennsylvania Hospital.
Once there, F.D. underwent six weeks of care and is currently undergoing outpatient treatment.
It was after another man was mistakenly arrested for the accident that D.S. felt compelled to come forward to police. D.S. said, “I really am sorry. I heard the wrong man was in jail, and I confessed to it.”
Weiss contended that his client “spends nights crying for the victims.” He further stated, “He has shown a great deal of remorse. He didn’t know somebody was killed until he heard it on the news, and he went to the police the next day. It’s obvious that (D.G.) made some horrible choices that night that had disastrous consequences.”
The man that was first arrested was a passenger in D.G.’s car that had been dropped off earlier in the evening. His fingerprints in the vehicle led police to arrest him.
The charges were withdrawn once D.S. came forward.
Haverford place stated that D.S. told them, “I’m sorry for what happened. It was an accident, and I want to turn myself in.”
Portions a letter, written by the victim’s father, were read in court: “We don’t believe (D.S.) intended to kill our son that night. However, he did and not by accident, but by the wrong decisions. The punishment for his crimes will not make us feel better. His remorse will not bring (D.G’s) life back – nothing will. If this tragedy can affect his (D.S.) life and turn it around for the good than something positive can come from it. This will be the only thing that could bring us any small amount of solace.”
Authorities reported that D.S.’s SUV was traveling at speeds up to 100 mph before he struck D.G.’s Volkswagen Jetta on Haverford Road, Haverford.
D.S. fled the scene of the crime, leaving behind D.G., who was pronounced dead at the scene, and F.D., who was left critically injured.
D.S. admitted to smoking PCP and drinking 40 ounces of beer before the crash. He said that he was attempting to escape police detection – as we didn’t want to be arrested – before the fatality occurred.
D.S. had one prior DUI arrest in 2004 and a burglary conviction in 2001.
At the time of the accident he was driving with a suspended license.
Contact a DUI attorney from our directory if you have been charged with a DUI, DWI, OUI or OWI. The proper representation can help!