A man was sentenced to eight years in prison after he was found guilty to a deadly DUI crash in Delray Beach in 2023.
The Delray Beach Police Department (DBPD) stated that, on Feb. 13 at around 5 p.m. a crash occurred at the intersection of West Atlantic Avenue and South Military Trail between a black Honda Accord and a red Mazda CX-30. Balmont Thompson, 30, was the driver of the Honda.
The driver of the Mazda, Y P, was declared dead at the scene due to injuries sustained during the crash, the report reads.
There were three passengers in the Honda Accord all of whom sustained injuries, including severe internal bleeding, fractured vertebrae, and hips.
DBPD said that Thompson was found in the Honda unresponsive and trapped in the driver’s seat of the vehicle. The other occupants in the vehicle exited on their own.
The report states that inside the vehicle there were two open bottles of liquor. Police also found attached to Belmont’s pants was a plastic bag of pink powder which tested positive for ecstasy.
A blood sample was taken from Thompson and found that during the time of the accident, he had MDMA in his system and had a blood alcohol level of 0.175.
It was also discovered that during the time of the accident, the Honda was traveling at 74 mph and the Mazda at 47 mph, the arrest report reads.
Thompson pleaded guilty to nine counts which are listed below:
- DUI manslaughter
- Vehicular homicide
- Two counts of DUI causing serious bodily injury
- DUI causing property damage or injury
- Reckless driving that causes property damage or injury to a person
- Reckless driving that causes serious bodily injuries
- Possession of a Schedule I substance
At his sentencing, the judge sentenced Thompson to eight years in prison along with paying $7,000 in restitution to the victims and $2,100 in fines. In a statement to CBS12 News, a spokesperson for the State Attorney’s Office noted that prosecutors had recommended the court for a 17-year sentence, while the defense asked for four years.
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Source: cbs12
