On Monday January 5, 33-year-old Chad Bybee, a former agriculture teacher at Logan-Rogersville High School in Missouri, was sentenced for involuntary manslaughter in the October 2013 crash that took the life of an 84-year-old man.
According to news reports, Bybee was driving a pickup truck and had his two young daughters with him when he was driving in a westbound direction in an eastbound lane on U.S. 60 and struck William Hughes head-on. Hughes was killed in the crash; Bybee’s daughters were also injured, however whether their injuries were serious was not revealed.
Bybee’s blood alcohol content (BAC) was found to be .192 when a breathalyzer test was administered three hours after the crash occurred, which is more than twice the legal limit of .08 in Missouri.
Bybee pleaded guilty to the charges, and was sentenced to 60 days in jail along with five years probation and 1,000 hours of community service. However, if he violates the terms of his probation, he will face 12 years in prison.
While most DUI cases don’t end so tragically, many do. Individuals who get behind the wheel after having a few drinks often feel invincible, that they are very capable when in fact they are not. Unfortunately, when someone is caught driving while under the influence, the consequences can be extremely damaging.
Even when there is no accident and no one is killed or injured, the penalties for a DUI conviction may include jail/prison time, substantial fines, driver’s license suspension or revocation, community service, vehicle impoundment, a court-ordered alcohol program, and more, depending on whether it is a first or subsequent offense. Not only are the penalties severe, those found guilty will have a permanent criminal record that can impact many aspects of their lives, including employment opportunities.
In Michigan, driving under the influence is a very serious charge. Regardless of the circumstances or whether property damage or bodily injury occurred, it is vital to seek the legal support and guidance of a skilled Michigan DUI attorney for the best possible outcome.