The Bradenton Herald has reported that a career DUI offender was released from jail on a $2,000 bond at about 9 P.M. on Monday May 13, after killing a man in a car crash less than 8 hours earlier at 1:30 in the morning.
P.C. struck and killed L.W., 40, at the intersection of North 15th Street and East 26th Avenue. At the time of the crash P.C. had a valid driver's license, however, it had been suspended once before and he has three prior convictions for drunk driving.
As P.C. exited the jail he explained to reporters, "I didn't see him. Before I could just stop on a dime, he was already there. I wasn't that drunk."
Reporters then asked about the results of his blood alcohol test – in which Tampa police said that P.C. was over the legal limit to drive. P.C. answered, "I had had a couple drinks. I had had a couple drinks."
And then reporters asked P.C. if he would like to make a statement to L.W.'s family. P.C., in a remorseful tone of voice, said, "I'm sorry. I'm really, really sorry because I didn't see him until the last moment."
According to the police at the crash scene P.C. had reeked of alcohol, slurred his speech and had bloodshot eyes. P.C. refused officers when they asked him to submit to a Breathalyzer test, a blood sample and a field sobriety test.
However, officers were later able to obtain a blood sample.
L.W., referred to as "Boo Boo" as he was the baby of the family, is sorely missed. His sister S.B. commented, "He was a sweet boy…"
Q.M., another of L.W.'s sisters, said, "For him to hit him, and even just go out there on the road and not even think about it – because the first thing that goes when you drink is your judgment."
Due to the small amount of bond that P.C. had to post, $2000, L.W.'s family was angry. This is P.C.'s fourth DUI, however, according to Q.M., the court was too lenient. Q.M. said, "Basically a pat on the wrist saying it's okay for you to drive around with alcohol. That's the way the system is. The justice system is… The system is wrong."
Reporters, waiting for P.C. to call his wife to pick him up and drive him home, asked if he might have a problem with alcohol. P.C. answered, "I probably need to, uh, go and get some help."
According to investigators, the judge will be taking P.C.'s DUI record into account – if found guilty of the new DUI charge – and then P.C.'s sentencing could, at the very least, include some time behind bars.
As far as L.W.'s family is concerned, they don't want to see P.C. behind the wheel endangering the lives of others ever again.
Have you been charged with DUI, DWI, OUI or OWI? Contact a DUI attorney for help. A sentence can include anything from fines, loss of driving privileges, jail time and more!