Plano Man Sentenced For Intoxication Manslaughter
McKINNEY (CBSDFW.COM) - Matthew Ryan Arbanas received 18 years in prison for intoxication manslaughter and leaving the scene of an accident after causing a death, announced Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis.
Arbanas stole his father's Mercedes and sped eastbound on President George Bush Tollway in the early morning hours of June 12, 2012. He failed to brake, and crashed into the back of a moving car near the Alma Drive exit. The catastrophic collision disabled both cars and caused a third car to also collide with the victim's car. As the victim lay trapped in his car with critical injuries, Arbanas fled from the scene on foot. Emergency personnel eventually responded to the scene, removed the victim from the car, and transported him to Medical Center of Plano. The victim later died from his injuries.
Two hours after the crash, Richardson police found Arbanas approximately one half mile south of the crash site. He had an injury to his head and was unconscious. He was transported to the Medical Center of Plano and treated by the medical staff. As part of his medical treatment, nurses drew Arbanas' blood. Testing showed an alcohol concentration of .226—almost three times the legal limit of .08.
The Collin County jury convicted Arbanas of both intoxication manslaughter and leaving the scene of an accident causing death. In the punishment phase of the trial, evidence showed that Arbanas had a prior Driving While Intoxicated conviction in 2008 in Travis County. He was also in a non-injury car crash in Plano in 2009 where he fled the scene. The jury sentenced Arbanas to 18 years, out of a possible 20, for the intoxication manslaughter and the maximum 10 years for the leaving the scene charge. The prison sentences will run concurrently.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Cynthia Walker and Geeta Singletary. They were aided by District Attorney Investigator Dale Dowdy. The case was investigated by Trooper Gina Stone from the Texas Department of Public Safety. District Judge Scott Becker presided over the case.