Gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, also known as gross DUI manslaughter, is one of the most serious DUI charges a person can face. It is only one step below a DUI murder charge, which is a second-degree murder charge. The charge is a felony and implies that the person accused acted with gross negligence in a way that they knew the lives of others would be placed at risk. If convicted, the person can see 4, 6, or 10 years in prison. That sentence can be much higher – up to 15 years if there are previous DUI convictions.
KTLA reports on a man sentenced to 15 years in prison for a DUI crash that killed a 3-year-old pedestrian.
33-year-old George Edward Milton pleaded no contest to a charge of felony gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated.
The charges stem from a May 20th accident where Milton lost control of his vehicle and drove up onto a sidewalk near 92nd and Figueroa Streets. He ran over 3-year-old Eidan Cortez, who was walking with his mother, who was pregnant at the time.
Milton’s car then crashed into a gate. In an attempt to flee the scene, Milton put his car into reverse and backed over Cortez again.
Good Samaritans stepped in and were able to keep Milton from escaping until police arrived. They also rendered aid to Cortez until first responders arrived on the scene.
Unfortunately, Cortez was pronounced dead at the hospital a short time later.
On Friday, Milton was sentenced to 12 years in prison.
