Wrong way driver sentenced to 8 years - 13abc.com Toledo (OH) News, Weather and Sports

Wrong way driver sentenced to 8 years

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     Christopher Jones will spend the next 8 years behind bars.
     Last year he slammed into a family going the wrong way on I-75 northbound.

     37 year old Matthew Davis was killed and two children were seriously injured.
     Davis' girlfriend told the judge her family was happy until this tragic incident.

     "It hurts so much knowing that matt will never see his son Bryan grow up, play sports, graduate, get married and have kids," said the victim's girlfriend Dawn Lerma.      
     
     Investigators say they tested Jones to see if he was under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

     "Although the first responders did sense an odor of alcoholic beverage emanating from inside the vehicle. Subsequent test at the hospital were unable to determine he was under the influence of alcohol. He did have prescription medication in his blood at therapeutic  levels and its our understanding he was prescribed those medicines by a doctor, " said prosecutor Ian English

    Police still don't know which ramp Jones used to drive the wrong way.

     "We believe it was from the Stickney avenue exit or Phillips avenue exit where he entered 475 northbound," said the prosecutor.

     The victim and his family were headed home from a wedding and were only minutes away from arriving home safely.     

     Jones apologized for his actions. His family and lawyer appeared upset by the 8 year sentence.
     
     The prosecutor disagrees.

"If you undertake in activity that wrongfully takes the life of another human being you should be prepared to suffer the consequences for that conduct," said prosecutor English

     Christopher Jones family and lawyer declined to comment. Jones can appeal his sentence.
     No word on if he will file an appeal. 

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