Teen Gets Prison Term For Deadly Drunken Crash
GRAND RAPIDS (WWJ/AP) - A teenager has received a prison term for a drunken driving crash on a West Michigan expressway exit ramp that killed two of his high school classmates.
Takunda Mavima, now 18, was sentenced Monday in Grand Rapids to 30 months to 15 years behind bars after pleading guilty to charges including two counts of drunken driving causing death.
Mavima will serve an additional term of 30 months to five years concurrently for serious injuries a third person suffered in the crash.
During the sentencing, family of one of the victims, 17-year-old Timothy See, pleaded with a judge to spare Mavima time behind bars. See's father said he doesn't blame Mavima alone for his son's death.
As reported by Mlive.com, Mavima shook as he offered a few words before breaking into tears: "I'm so sorry that I took two bright, intelligent, wonderful people out of this world …. I wish …" His voice broke. "I'm so sorry."
According to court documents, Mavima allegedly told police that he was driving too fast and drinking prior to the 4:20 a.m. crash on eastbound Ford Freeway near the off ramp to Chicago Drive.
Police in the Grand Rapids suburb of Wyoming say the May 20 crash killed 15-year-old Krysta Howell and See. The injured passengers were 18-year-olds Trenton Lampbright and Huy Nguyen and 16-year-old Dylan Stanaway. All involved attended Wyoming Park High School.
Court testimony shows that Mavima's blood alcohol level registered at 0.10; the legal limit in Michigan is .08. He told police the group of friends had been drinking at a home in Allendale prior to the crash.
Shane Harlan, who hosted a party at his apartment in Ottawa County's Allendale Township before the crash, was sentenced in July to probation in the case.
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