After a 2008 drunk driving collision, in which a 12-year-old boy was killed, Associated Press reports that the driver was sentenced to 41 months in prison for involuntary manslaughter.
Jayal Howard, the 40-year-old driver in the accident, was sentenced for the crime on Tuesday. He pleaded guilty to the involuntary manslaughter charge last December, but many Arizona DUI attorneys are still surprised by the severity of the incident.
Mr. Howard, of Sacaton, was driving his vehicle on the Gila River Indian Reservation in a car that contained three passengers. Prosecutors said that the man was driving at an excessive speed with a blood-alcohol level of .14. He lost control of his vehicle after hitting a pool of water, which led to the death of the 12-year-old victim.
FindLaw reports that child endangerment offenses are typically aggravating factors that increase the type of punishment for a DUI charge. There are actually 36 states, including Arizona, that specifically impose additional penalties for people charged with driving under the influence if there is a child passenger. The harsh penalties are usually imposed because children are given a great deal of protection under the law. A child does not always have a choice when it comes to getting in the car with a drunk parent or adult.
An involuntary manslaughter crime usually refers to an unintentional killing that is caused by negligence or recklessness, according to FindLaw. Drunk drivers are usually charged with involuntary manslaughter if there was an accident that resulted with a death. If you have questions about aggravated DUIs, please consult an Arizona DUI attorney.
Related Resources:
- Leandra's Law: New York Drunk Driving Laws Become Stricter (FindLaw KnowledgeBase)
- Quiz: Should I Be Driving? (FindLaw)
- Locate an Arizona DUI Attorney (FindLaw)
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