Teen Sentenced for Injuring Toddler and Grandfather in DUI

The state's maximum penalty of 480 days in custody was given to a California teenager that injured both a grandfather and grandson in a DUI collision, as reported by the Union-Tribune and Sign On San Diego. 

The 17 year-old defendant admitted to driving drunk when he ran over the two on October 18. 

The crash left Abraham Verde, 60, with a broken right ankle, while his grandson, Izaiah Wallis, 18 months, continues to struggle to survive.

Izaiah was in the midst of learning to walk and talk like other toddlers his age when the car crash left him with permanent brain damage.  His parents reported that he has had continuous treatment at Rady Children's Hospital.

His parents have also been told, by Isaiah's doctor, that he is blind and faces a lifetime in a wheelchair due to his permanent paralysis.

About to face his sixth operation, Izaiah is having a feeding tube inserted.

The teenager responsible has been ordered to serve the 480 days in the county's Youthful Offender Unit.  While there he will have to attend and participate in substance-abuse treatment and educational programs, which will ultimately be followed by a probationary period.

Izaiah's parents feel that their child has been given a death sentence due to the accident and believe that 480 days in custody isn't a harsh enough sentence.  Lucy Verde, Izaiah's mother said, "I never thought I'd see my baby like that, he's my only child."

Jacob Wallis, Izaiah's father, felt that the circumstances of the case substantiated a trial in adult court.  He said, "He made an adult choice.  He should get the adult consequences."

Prosecutors contend that the charges against the teen did not allow him to be tried in an adult court.

The teen, unnamed due to being a minor, apologized to the victims and their family members present in court - many of whom wore before and after photographs of Izaiah emblazoned on t-shirts to mark their solidarity.

The young man told the courtroom that he was making an effort to become a better person.  He said, "I wish I could get up and tell you face to face how much I'm sorry.  I'm going to keep praying for you guys every day, no matter what."

The teen's parents, while expressing their own grief, offered what condolences they could to the victim's family.

The crash, reported by authorities, occurred at approximately 9:20 a.m. on October 18. The teenager drove an SUV up and onto a sidewalk on Lake Boulevard in Oceanside.  Once there, the SUV struck both Abraham Verde and Izaiah - and Izaiah was caught by the vehicle while strapped in his stroller.

The teen registered a 0.21 percent blood-alcohol level the day of the crash.  And while the legal limit it 0.08 percent in California - which the youth was well over - it is illegal for drivers under the age of 21 to exceed 0.01 percent.

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