A Miami man who was charged with DUI manslaughter and leaving the scene of a crime in January 2009 was sentenced today. Richard Doval was under the influence of alcohol when his car hit Dr. Robert Geronemus of Plantation.
In a plea deal, Mr. Doval received, "six years in prison, two years of house arrest and fifteen years probation and his driver's license is suspended for life". He needs to pay,"$18,000 restitution and $24,999 to the Geronemus family."
Additionally, $100 monthly to MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Drivers) and speak with Middle and High school students. He is to speak about the consequences of drinking and driving.
MADD has been a fixture in many alcohol/ substance abuse education classes nationwide. Frequently, a MADD representative will have speakers who are family members who have lost a loved one to a drunken driver.
The purpose of the classes are not villanize the drunken driver. Adversely, they are intended to raise awareness in the future, saving lives.
Drunk driving is an enormous problem in this society. Abuse of alcoholic beverages has been made to look normal.
By normalizing the use of alcohol and other mind altering substances, we have desensitized the public. This desensitization has contributed to drunken driving and the use of other mind-altering substances while driving.
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