I found out today when I logged into my email that one of my former coworkers was involved in a crash yesterday. 19 year old Justin Crouse was drunk and rammed my friend Philip’s car when he ran a red light in Raleigh yesterday.
Right now, Philip’s in ICU in Raleigh. His girlfriend, who was in the passenger seat, died at the hospital because this underage asshole couldn’t restrain himself from climbing into a vehicle after he had had too much to drink.
I hope Justin gets the book thrown at him: he knew going in that he could kill somebody, and this needs to be treated like the intentional homicide it is.
I also hope Philip gets much better soon so he can start to get to his life.
Phil: we’re all pullin’ for you.
News stories here.
This is such and avoidable tragedy. I’m sorry for your friend’s current predicament and the loss of his girlfriend. 17. So you to have your life ripped away from you. I wish Philip a full and speedy recovery and I wish Justin a conviction.
Oh man. 🙁
It looks like “Felony Death by Vehicle” is a “Class E” Felony (being upped from a Class G 5 years ago). That carries a sentence of “30 years or fine or both”. I don’t know why they don’t up it to a “Class C” which would carry “50 years or life imprisonment, or fine, or both”.