Montco Teen Will Do Prison Time For DUI Crash Death of Jogger
By Brad Segall
NORRISTOWN, Pa. (CBS) -- A Montgomery County teenager was sentenced today to at least three years in state prison, after admitting he was driving under the influence of marijuana when he struck and killed a female jogger last year (see related stories).
Defense attorney Marty Mullaney says this is a case that high school students should read about. His client, Justin Jackson, was sentenced to 3-10 years behind bars after pleading guilty to homicide-by-vehicle DUI.
The 19-year-old Lower Pottsgrove man had smoked pot, then got behind the wheel of his car and struck and killed Merinda Thompson, who was jogging along North Lewis Road in Limerick.
Prosecutor Jason Whalley calls Jackson's actions foolish and selfish.
"And as a result, when he made that choice, someone was killed and the parents lost their daughter, and Merinda's two young sons will grow up without a mother. That's why I sought that sentence," Whalley told KYW Newsradio.
Jackson apologized to the 40-year-old woman's family, saying he was deeply sorry for this tragedy and he's ashamed of his actions.
Detectives who searched his car after the crash also turned up drug paraphernalia.