Fla. — A 28-year-old Texas man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for a deadly DUI crash in Okaloosa County in 2022 that killed an Escambia County deputy.
T P previously pleaded guilty to DUI manslaughter, driving with a suspended license and DUI causing bodily harm.
Judge J G on Wednesday sentenced Parker to 180 months for the October 2022 crash that killed Escambia County Deputy K R and seriously injured his 15-year-old daughter.
P — who has been jailed in Okaloosa County since October 2022 — received credit for time served. The minimum mandatory for his sentence is four years.
The judge outlined P’s driving record during the sentencing, saying he was labeled as a habitual traffic offender with several speeding tickets in his home state of Texas.
On the day of the crash, P was driving without a license. He told investigators he was drinking at a restaurant in Alabama before heading toward Destin.
R and his daughter La were heading home from a Troy football game.
Florida Highway Patrol says Parker blew through a stop sign and collided with the front of R’s jeep before striking two power poles on Robinson Road in Okaloosa County.
R died at the scene. His daughter L was flown to the hospital in serious condition.
L’s mother told WEAR News this week she felt she’d lost everything in an instant.
“As they carried L away to the helicopter, I said goodbye not knowing if it was the last time we’d see her alive,” R R B said.
L spent almost a year at Brooks Rehabilitation in Jacksonville. She suffered several broken bones including both femurs, facial fractures, a broken rib and a punctured lung.
Doctors removed half of her skull to relieve pressure from her head injuries.
L’s mother says she’s a walking miracle.
“To look at her now and see where she was two years ago this day, you wouldn’t believe it how far she’s come,” R R B said.
L also spoke to WEAR News this week.
- WEAR News: “Can you believe you were in that condition?”
- L: “Honestly not really. Because the memory loss is almost like it never happened and like someone just told me it happened.”
L says she remembers nothing about the day of the crash or the week leading up to it. She was unconscious for nearly a month before learning to walk and talk again.
Her mother says the straight “A” student had the motor skills of a toddler.
But after two years, L has found her passions again — playing harp with the church choir, concert piano, horseback riding and surfing.
- WEAR News: “Has there been a moment where you’ve been able to sit down and fully grasp what you’ve been through?”
- L: “I think at different moments it just hits me like that.”
While she’s experienced setbacks like most won’t ever understand, L remains dedicated to pursuing her first love: veterinary medicine.
She’s actively visiting colleges across the U.S. for the fall.
“I want to work in veterinary medicine,” she said. “That’s been my dream since I was 7 or 8 years old. But still along the way be able to inspire people who have been through something like that so that they can move forward to.”
“I want to work in veterinary medicine,” she said. “That’s been my dream since I was 7 or 8 years old. But still along the way be able to inspire people who have been through something like that so that they can move forward to.”
Being a victim of a DUI accident can be a traumatic and life-altering experience. At Ovadia Law Group, we are dedicated to providing the legal support and guidance you need to navigate this difficult time. Our experienced attorneys thoroughly investigate each case, gathering crucial evidence to build a strong claim against the negligent driver. We are committed to holding drunk drivers accountable and securing the compensation you deserve for medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages. If you or a loved one has been affected by a DUI accident, call us at 1-800-674-9396 for a free consultation.
Source: weartv
