Thursday, January 10 2013 10:58 AM EST2013-01-10 15:58:19 GMT
On Tuesday, Charleston Police say Samuel Thompson lost control of his car on I-26 near the Rutledge exit, crashing into Margaret Deas. She later died at MUSC.More >>
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) -- Sixty-one year old Samuel Thompson, Jr. pleaded guilty to the felony charge of driving under the influence.
He was charged in the death of 78-year-old Margaret Deas after an accident that happened on Sept. 20, 2011. She died of internal injuries hours later.
According to officials in the Ninth
Judicial Circuit Solicitor's office, Thompson "abruptly changed his mind" and entered his plea before the beginning of the second day of testimony.
Naomi Nation with the Solicitor's office said testimony at trial revealed that Thompson struck Deas' car on I-26 Eastbound near the Rutledge Avenue exit.
Witnesses told the jury that Thompson was speeding when he swerved,
struck the guard rail, went into the center median and then hit the
vehicle driven by Deas.
Nation said two opened mini-bottles of banana schnapps were found in Thompson's vehicle after the accident.
Assistant Solicitor Gregory Voigt told the court that the next witness, a
toxicologist, was prepared to testify that the blood sample taken from
Thompson at the hospital revealed a blood alcohol level of .238, nearly
three times the legal limit.
Circuit Judge Deadra Jefferson sentenced Thompson to nine years in prison and he is not eligible for parole.
Deas is survived by two daughters and ten grandchildren.
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Photo from the scene. (Brandon Geier/WCIV)
Margaret Deas (File photo/provided)
Samuel Thompson (provided)
