HASTINGS, Minn. - A 39-year-old Lakeville man was found guilty of multiple charges, including criminal vehicular homicide and DWI, for his role in a fatal car accident on Christmas Eve 2009.
Jeffrey Martin was convicted Monday in Dakota County. Prosecuters said Martin, who was 37 at the time of the crash, was driving with a blood alcohol concentration of .17 when he hit 88-year-old Everett Letterly and his wife. Letterly subsequently died as a result of his injuries. His wife suffered rib fractures and lacerations. According to the original criminal complaint, Martin did not report any injuries.
Monday, Martin was found guilty of criminal vehicular homicide and criminal vehicular injury. Both of those counts are felonies. Additionally, Martin was charged with third degree DWI and child endangerment. Martin had his three children - ages 4, 9 and 10 - in the car at the time of the crash. The latter counts are both gross misdemeanors.
"This is another sad and tragic example of the significant danger associated with drinking and driving. Drunk driving kills and cripples more people than any other crime in America," Dakota County Attorney James Backstrom said in a statement. "Our deepest sympathy is extended to the victim's family for their terrible loss."
Sentencing is set to begin January 4, 2012.
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