First of all, thank you for being so patient. I am going to try and get at least one of Liv's chapters up in the next day or two...but, I didn't want to wait to share a bit of good news.
As anyone who read the last update is aware, the driver did have his bail revoked after he not only visited the bar he was at the night of the accident, but also attempted to drive while intoxicated (again) when he was asked to leave. Both violations of the terms of his bail.
Today, the case went before a judge as the defense team suggested that the driver take a plea with evidence mounting against him and his latest indiscretion. Typically, pleas work in the favor of the defendant we were told, however we were extremely happy with the outcome.
The driver plead guilty to felony murder (which is what he would have gone to trial for due to the number of previous arrests and a previous DUI accident with injuries on his record apart from this accident). He received 40 years in prison, of which he must serve no less than 30 years before he is eligible for parole. His license will be revoked permanently and he will have to undergo drug and alcohol counseling as well. He will also face fines of up to $50,000 and civil charges being brought by Liv's family which could be considerably more costly for him.
So, that puts an end to Liv's terribly sad story...but we will all sleep a little better knowing that this man can not take anyone else's friend, child or loved one from them. It's really too bad that it took several DUI arrests and Liv's life to finally get this man off the road.
Unfortunately, this does nothing to ease the pain that all of us have suffered because her life ended too soon, but we finally have a little closure. Today marked two seeks since Liv passed away, but hopefully this will give her a little bit of peace, too.
Anyway, I thought you would like to know that Liv got some amount of justice. It was never going to be enough, but it was the best we could have hoped for.
Erin