After their father’s intoxicated behavior back in November 2023, two children suffered severe injuries, one of whom even needed to be intubated, according to a release.
Gary Anthony Sanders II, 37, was found to have a blood alcohol content of 0.16 to 0.18, which is at least twice the legal limit, just after midnight on November 24, 2023, while driving under the influence. On Crowell Road, he was traveling north with his two small children in the back seat.
After driving up onto the median at a high pace while drunk, Sanders collided with a tree.
As a result of the collision, the car’s engine block collided with the front seat. A booster seat belonging to the oldest child was not fastened correctly. The child struck the rear of the front passenger seat during the collision after flying forward from behind the driver’s side.
An onlooker saved the day. They heard children screaming as they passed the car, saw flames rising from it, and dragged the two kids out of it before the cops could come.
The older youngster, who had been bleeding after losing teeth, was discovered to have a shattered femur while still conscious.
The younger child, who had been in the back passenger seat of the automobile, was in and out of consciousness and briefly stopped breathing, necessitating intubation. It was discovered that the child had bruises on the lungs, a fractured spine, and a fractured forearm.
Fortunately, both kids are now fully recovered from their injuries.
In addition to being unable to recall what had transpired, officers discovered that Sanders had a broken knee, hazy eyes, slurred speech, and a noticeable alcohol odor. He was also unable to complete any sobriety or breath tests.
The vehicle included an open liquor bottle in a backpack that had been in the front passenger seat, as well as open beer cans, one of which was in the front cup holder.
Sanders had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.16 to 0.18 after the collision, according to a search warrant for his medical documents.
Sanders entered a guilty plea to two counts of felony child abuse resulting in a serious injury and driving while intoxicated on October 17.
Judge Lindsey gave Sanders a sentence of one year and eleven months in prison and nine years and one month in custody, with the additional provision that he must finish the Virginia Alcohol Safety Program, complete three years of supervised probation and uniform good behavior after his release, have his driving privileges suspended for a year, and be limited to using an ignition interlock device for six months after his license has been restored.
Pride Flag Slashed in Vandalism Incident Outside Wilmington, Delaware Church
“Drunk driving is a totally preventable crime that endangers other people. Here, Mr. Sanders’s criminally reckless behavior could have cost the lives of his own children, who did nothing to put themselves in this dangerous situation,” Commonwealth’s Attorney Ramin Fatehi stated. “While I hope that the rehabilitative options that Mr. Sanders will have on his release will help him to avoid repeating his crime, Mr. Sanders still earned a sentence of confinement for the wrongness of his actions. My office and I will continue to seek accountability for people who endanger themselves and others on our roads.”
About The Author
