A man who pleaded guilty to gross vehicular manslaughter last December was sentenced on Monday to four years in prison, according to KFMB Radio. However, most Los Angeles DUI defense lawyers would say that this is a not a terrible sentence for a vehicular manslaughter charge, since he will be eligible for parole in just two years.
KGTV reports that Vista Superior Court Judge Daniel Goldstein sentenced 24-year-old Michael J. Wright to a low prison term because he had no previous criminal record. The defendant could have been been sentenced to a maximum of 11 years in prison under Mr. Wright's plea agreement.
Mr. Wright admitted to driving under the influence of alcohol in the August incident that killed a young girl. Mr. Wright took responsibility for the death of 9-year-old Violet Rosenquist, who was riding in the passenger seat during the crash. Violet was the daughter of Mr. Wright's girlfriend at the time of the time.
Prosecutors stated that Mr. Wright's blood-alcohol level was estimated to be between .17 to .18 percent at the time of the 1 a.m. crash last August. The prosecutors alleged that the Mr. Wright failed to notice that vehicles ahead of him were slowing down. Mr. Wright abruptly swerved to the right, and hit several vehicles on Interstate 5 in Oceanside.
Mr. Wright and the victim's mother had only been dating for eight to ten weeks when the accident happened. KGTV reported that both Mr. Wright and the victim's mother had been drinking before the crash at a memorial service. Mr. Wright had consumed about eight to ten drinks before getting behind the wheel.
Related Resources:
- DUI Sentencing (FindLaw)
- Prisoners' Rights and Resources (FindLaw)
- Los Angeles DUI Defense lawyer directory (FindLaw)
