A repeat DUI offender, who drove on the wrong side of a highway before badly injuring two people, has pleaded guilty to vehicular assault while driving drunk and other DUI-related charges, as reported by the Denver Post.
D.C., 56, of Texas, pleaded guilty to both felonies and misdemeanors – including reckless driving and wrong-way driving – in exchange for no more than a 15-year prison term.
The plea deal was accepted by Boulder District Judge Thomas Mulvahill during D.C.'s arraignment on November 29.
According to prosecutors, one of the injured victims, 28 year-old D.M., may not survive his injuries. D.M. is still in critical condition at Denver Health.
Originally, Boulder County District Attorney Stan Garnett wanted to wait to see if D.M. succumbs to his injuries, so that he would then press vehicular homicide charges against D.C. However, after meeting with the family members of the two victims, it was decided to accept the plea deal.
The prosecution felt that as long as D.C. plead guilty to all of the charges he currently faced, it would be best for the family as it would spare them from a lengthier case.
Garnett told Mulvahill, "After consulting with all the family members, we felt it was appropriate to resolve the case, especially with the defendant willing to take full responsibility."
D.C. is due to be sentenced on January 25. If D.M. were to die prior to that date, it would be too late to charge him with vehicular homicide – because the plea deal has already been accepted.
According to investigative reports, on July 21, at approximately 4 a.m., D.C. drove a rented Chevy HHR, north, in the southbound lanes of the Diagonal Highway. D.M., driving south, in a black Toyota Yaris with his girlfriend, S.B., 23, was struck by D.C.
The couple had been driving home from the IBM campus, where D.M. is employed, on their way to Westminster.
After sustaining internal injuries in the accident, S.B. was transported to Longmont United Hospital. She has since been released.
D.C. admitted to investigators that he had drunk more than one alcoholic beverage at the Old Chicago bar and restaurant. Then, at approximately 7 p.m., D.C. left Old Chicago and went to other bars around Pearl – and continued drinking until the 2 a.m. bar closing time.
D.C. also told investigators that he was lost between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. and couldn't locate his hotel.
D.C.'s police record includes a DUI conviction in New York in 1992, and twice in Texas; in 2005 and 2010.
His driving privileges – having been suspended after his 2010 conviction – had just been returned to him before this incident.
D.C.'s bail, set at $100,000 bond, has not been paid and he remains in custody in the Boulder County Jail.
Making a plea arrangement may be very important if you have been charged with DUI, DWI, OUI or OWI. Contact a DUI attorney that is experienced in handling plea deals so that you, too, can avoid lengthy jail time, fines or the loss of your driving privileges.