DUI

Karen Read Acquitted of Second-Degree Murder in Boyfriend’s Death, Jury Convicts on DUI Charge

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Dedham, Massachusetts — A jury acquitted Karen Read of second-degree murder in connection with the death of her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O’Keefe. The verdict was reached after approximately 22 hours of deliberation starting on June 13. The jury’s decision came nearly a year after a previous jury could not reach a consensus on whether Read was guilty in O’Keefe’s death, which occurred during a blizzard in January 2022. O’Keefe was found lying in snow after being struck by Read’s SUV. Prosecutors contended that Read left him behind to die, leading to charges that … Read more

$10.3 Million Verdict Delivered in Fatal Jacksonville DUI Case: Parents of 21-Year-Old Victim Seek Justice

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Jacksonville, Florida — A civil jury awarded $10.3 million in compensatory damages Wednesday to the parents of a 21-year-old woman who died in a head-on collision earlier this year. The proceedings followed the fatal crash involving Ramon Cerda, who had been drinking before the incident. The jury granted $5 million each to Monique and John Behr for the loss of their daughter Nell Behr, who was killed in January 2023. Cerda has admitted fault in the incident and pled guilty to DUI manslaughter, resulting in a 12-year prison sentence. Though the bar where Cerda drank, … Read more

Justice Served: Retired Teacher Faces Long Prison Sentence After Fatal DUI Crash, Jury Hits Spouse with $29 Million Verdict

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VERO BEACH, Fla. — A jury’s decision in a wrongful death civil case brought by the widow of a car crash victim unveiled the stark realities surrounding the tragic event that took place in May 2022. Frances Ingraham sought damages from driver Elizabeth Jewkes-Danielsen, but the outcome largely fell on the behavior of her husband, Paul Danielsen, a resident of Orchid with a considerable financial background. Ultimately, the jury ruled against Jewkes-Danielsen, delivering a $29 million verdict, but the repercussions may extend beyond the financial realm. Jewkes-Danielsen, 63, a retired special needs teacher, faces serious … Read more

Speeding Driver Convicted of Killing Washington State Trooper in Tragic DUI Crash

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Everett, Wash. — A Snohomish County jury returned a guilty verdict on Tuesday against Raul Benitez-Santana for vehicular homicide and vehicular assault following a crash that resulted in the death of Washington State Patrol Trooper Christopher Gadd in March 2024. On March 2, Benitez-Santana was driving at a speed of 107 mph while impaired when he collided with Gadd’s parked patrol vehicle on the shoulder of southbound Interstate 5 near Marysville. The impact left Trooper Gadd, 27, dead at the scene. A sentencing hearing is set for July 2. The incident occurred just before 3 … Read more