The drunk driver in a crash that resulted in a man’s leg being lost was sentenced to prison time on Monday, June 7, according to Saratoga County District Attorney Jim Murphy.
Michael Clark, 49, of Ocean Drive, Hollywood, FL was sentenced on all the charges in a six count indictment. The counts were aggravated vehicular assault, a class C felony, vehicular assault in the first degree, a class D felony, vehicular assault 2nd, a class E felony, aggravated DWI, common law DWI,a Misdemeanor and driving with a BAC of greater than .08 percent, according to information from Murphy’s office.
Clark’s sentence stems from an incident that occurred on July 27, 2009 on Henning Road and Lake Avenue in the City of Saratoga Springs, when the Ford F 350 Super-cab truck with a weight of more than 13,000 pounds he was driving, pulled into the path of the victim who was driving a motorcycle, according to information from Murphy’s office. Clark’s vehicle turned directly in front of the motorcycle to make a left hand turn, while the light was in the victim’s favor, said reports.
The victim sustained serious physical injury, was air lifted to Albany Medical Center and the victim’s right leg was amputated above the knee in order to save his life, according to reports. The victim also received a significant head injury and is still continuing therapy for his brain injury and trauma, according to reports. Murphy’s office insisted on a plea to every single count of the indictment, due to the serious nature of the injury and the egregious nature of the crime.
Drinking and driving can equal death or serious injury. Unfortunately that is exactly what happened in this case. Because someone chose to drink and drive an victim lost his leg. State prison is the only appropriate sentence for this horrific case. The victim’s life has been changed forever, said Murphy in a statement.
During the sentencing ADA Davis requested that Judge Scarano order the defendant to look at the victim and observe his injuries and the devastation he caused, including his prosthetic device on his right leg, said Murphy. Judge Scarano agreed and ordered Clark to do so, who then apologized to the victim in the courtroom.
Murphy said it is expected that Clark will receive a prison sentence of 1 1/2 to 4 1/2 years. The Department of Correctional Services will determine how long the defendant will be held. He could be held up to 4 1/2 years if determined by parole, according to information from Murphy’s office. Clark was also sentenced to one year in jail for the misdemeanor charges, which by law must run concurrently with the state prison sentence.
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