VIRGINIA,Monterey man gets 8 years in DUI case Four motorcyclists injured in crash

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http://www2.newsvirginian.com/news/2010/sep/24/monterey-man-gets-8-years-dui-case-ar-522624/ Monterey man gets 8 years in DUI case Four motorcyclists injured in crash

Sean A. Stanton

Man sobers up, pleads in DUI case »Article: DUI suspect under influence at hearing »Article: Five injured in Deerfield accident By Chase Purdy Published: September 24, 2010 » 0 Comments | Post a Comment vote nowBuzz up!

STAUNTON -- As the motorcyclists lay injured and bleeding, Sean Avery Stanton rifled through the cab of his pickup truck, found a bottle of liquor, unscrewed the cap and drank.

That’s according to testimony Thursday in Augusta County Circuit Court, where a judge sentenced the Monterey man to eight years in jail and 15 years’ probation for driving under the influence in the crash. It was Stanton’s second DUI case in six years.

Four riders were injured, including Martin A. Krupinski, of Verona, who now has two pounds of titanium in his body.

“Due to this crime, I am in constant pain,” Krupinski said.

“Prior to this incident, I never missed a day of work. I provided for my family, my country and my community,” he said.

Authorities said Stanton, 35, last year ran his red 1997 Toyota Tacoma off the right side of Route 250 at a curve in Deerfield, smashing the pickup into the motorcycles. Four riders, along with Stanton, were injured, authorities said. Two helicopters and an ambulance transported the crash victims to area hospitals.

Stanton pleaded guilty in June to driving under the influence and three counts of assault or maiming while driving under the influence.

The motorcyclists suffered broken pelvises, dislodged eyes and shattered knees, authorities said.

“Over and over in my head, I know this is not my fault,” said Christine Hinkle, one of the riders. “I just have to believe it.”

Hinkle said she thinks about the wreck everyday, often wondering whether it would have happened had she just changed the arrangement of her day.

Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Rupen Shah smacked his legal pad against a courtroom table while addressing Stanton.

“These people were struggling for their lives, and the best thing you can think of is get the bottle of vodka?” he asked. “This man does not deserve any break.”

Shah said Stanton deserved a 16-year sentence.

Defense Attorney Paul Titus asked Ludwig to consider a lesser sentence to allow him to work to help pay restitution.

“If you give him 16 years, your honor, they’ll never see a dime of restitution,” he said. Stanton apologized and asked for a light sentence.

“There’s really nothing to do [in jail] but think,” he said. “I deeply apologize to all four of them and their families.”

Turning to the victims, Ludwig said a 16-year sentence would be pure vengeance, and offer little financial help toward them.

“The fact of the matter is that you would be paying for him to suffer that long,” he said.

Stanton was convicted in 2004 of DUI.