Bellingham, MA DUI fatality defendant surrenders
This is so sad, and happens so often. A person has an accident and kills their passenger, who usually is a family member or friend. Then they find themselves prosecuted for DUI or vehicular homicide.
Driver charged with DUI after fatal Bellingham crash - Bellingham, MA - Country Gazette: "A Bellingham man was arrested Thursday and charged with drunken driving in connection with the fatal car wreck that claimed the life of his friend, 23-year-old Sean Whalen, on April 9.
Matthew Markham, 21, of 79 Elvira St., who drove his Oldsmobile Cutlass into several trees just beyond the High Street bridge, came to the Bellingham Police Station with his attorney yesterday, and was subsequently arrested, said District Attorney Joseph Early Jr.'s spokesman Tim Connolly."
According to Massachusetts DUI Attorney, the penalties for DUI resulting in death in MA are:
MANSLAUGHTER BY MOTOR VEHICLE:FINES: Up to $25,000;
JAIL: Mandatory minimum 5 years - maximum 20 years in prison;
LICENSE SUSPENSION: Mandatory minimum 15 year suspension - maximum lifetime suspension.
DUI/OUI VEHICULAR HOMICIDE:
Mandatory minimum 2.5 years in prison - maximum 15 years in prison; lifetime driver's license revocation; substantial fines. (source - Massachusetts DUI Penalties).
Terrible situation.
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