Driver gets 6 years in fatal crash
6/1/09 | 13 comments
courts

Driver gets 6 years in fatal crash


Judge: Previous OUI convictions a factor in Detroit man’s sentence
By Walter Griffin
BDN Staff

BELFAST, Maine — A Detroit man was sentenced to six years in prison and four years’ probation after pleading guilty to killing a friend in a car accident in Troy last fall.

Charles E. Erickson Jr., 33, entered his guilty plea in Waldo County Superior Court earlier this year and was sentenced by Justice Jeffrey Hjelm on Monday.

Erickson was driving drunk on Route 220 in Troy at approximately 1:50 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 5, 2008, when he lost control of his pickup truck while attempting to pass another vehicle on the right and rolled over several times. Passenger Scott Goulette, 40, of Detroit was killed in the crash. Another passenger suffered a broken sternum.

Erickson was sentenced to 15 years in prison with all but six years suspended, four years’ probation, $10,000 restitution and 200 hours of community service for manslaughter.

Erickson also received a concurrent six-year prison term for operating while under the influence of intoxicants and a concurrent six-month term for operating beyond license restriction. He was fined an additional $2,100, and his license and registration were suspended for 10 years. Conditions of his probation require that he not consume intoxicants.

In handing down the sentence, Justice Hjelm noted that Erickson and Goulette had been close friends and observed that Erickson “had sentenced himself to a life punishment that will extend way beyond the time when he has served his debt to society.”

Hjelm said a factor in the sentence was that Erickson had two prior OUI convictions and that a condition of his license prohibited him from driving after consuming alcohol. Hjelm noted that a blood test taken three hours after the wreck revealed that Erickson’s blood alcohol level was 1.5, nearly twice the legal limit.

“We are dealing in a crime that involved the ultimate loss,” Hjelm said. “Mr. Erickson made choices that night. Mr. Erickson chose to drink, Mr. Erickson chose to drive, Mr. Erickson chose to get intoxicated, and Mr. Erickson chose to get behind the wheel.”

According to reports filed with the case, Erickson and his friends had attended a party that night and he and his wife left in separate vehicles. At some point, Erickson came up behind the car his wife was riding in and attempted to pass it on the right. The wheels of his truck hit the soft shoulder, and when Erickson attempted to pull back onto the highway, he overcorrected and his pickup truck rolled over several times before coming to rest on its wheels.

Justice Hjelm noted that “so many people have been damaged and affected” by Erickson’s decision to drive that morning, including Goulette’s 9-year-old son who has been “traumatized” by the loss of his father.

Hjelm said he was aware that Erickson was remorseful for his actions and complimented him for apologizing to the victim’s family and accepting blame for the crash. Hjelm said he decided to impose community service because he believed Erickson could be an “important influence” on people who need guidance from someone “who has been there,” such as school groups, people in recovery or people who should be in recovery.

“One thing everyone wishes I could do but can’t do is turn back the clock,” Hjelm said. “Decisions have been made and events have been caused by the criminal conduct of an individual. ... These sentences do not provide comfort or solace to anybody. These sentences are not the end of this case.”

wgriffin@bangordailynews.net

338-9546

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Comments
13 comments on this item
On 6/1/09 at 4:13 PM, gadfly wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

I guess since he doesn't have any friends or family on this board it would alright to sue him. He's obviously one of the bad ones...not llike "awesome" reckless, foolish, life threatening and life taking menaces that we know.

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On 6/1/09 at 5:59 PM, bxr3main wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

I am not one to get too uptight over these types of wrecks. I witnessed one in split seconds right before my eyes, and it is a life altering split seconds for the driver drinking forever. Take away alcohol and what does one get? Not the criminal they are blamed into. At 33 years old however...well, that makes the punishment a bit weak in my own opinion with priors to go with him. Maine is like thet HEH.

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On 6/1/09 at 7:00 PM, pcme2000 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Weird how he got so much time. But a drunck driver driving a boat from mass. Kills two and gets off scott free.

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On 6/1/09 at 7:45 PM, debutante wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

I'm sure that he will not forget this for a long, long, time. The man that was killed in the wreck was his friend and although he was drunk, he probably is deeply regretting this.

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On 6/2/09 at 9:03 AM, TheBear wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

If you want to find out how good Maine traffic laws are, purchase a scanner and listen to the local and state dispatchers. 15 convictions, 20 convictions, 30 convictions and yet they are allowed to drive as long as they pay the fine. these people should not be on the road yet the weak laws allow it. No wonder people are killed on our highways all the time. It is the legislators who are at fault for not making strict laws and bigger still, having them ENFORCED.

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On 6/2/09 at 9:05 AM, maine04401 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

He should have got the full sentence.

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On 6/2/09 at 9:34 AM, sassiinalton wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

I wholeheartedly agree with, maine14401 and TheBear, it is absolutely ridiculus how many chances these drunk drivers get. What is the point in having these so-called "tough" drunk driving laws if they aren't going to be enforced? As far as I am concerned, if you have even one OUI against you, then the next time you get caught or are in an accident, injuries or not, then they should have to serve the FULL sentence. None of this lighter sentence or time off for good behavior. It is pretty sad when the innocent drivers of Maine are afraid to drive on certain nights because they know the "drunks" will be out driving. Come on Maine judges....do what you are paid for, SENTENCE these idiots.

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On 6/2/09 at 9:36 AM, sassiinalton wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

oops, sorry maine... I meant to type maine04401

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On 6/2/09 at 10:11 AM, berquis wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Are you people too blind to see the ENTIRE article? he DID get the full sentence... he killed his best friend and left the guys child without a dad. Gheesh, why don't we just fry everyone that has ever made a horrible mistake and then maybe you'll be happy???

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On 6/2/09 at 10:17 AM, olmainer wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

id rather see alternatives to jail in these cases ,its a foolish choice no doubt ,but not a crime done in hate ,id rather see the jail space used up by child predetors and drug dealers that silently kill more people than we know ,i agree that operating while loaded is a serious offence and this type of situations happen ,and im not sure what could be an alternative punishment ,but seems like theres something besides using tax dollars tohouse and feed a person that uses foolish judgment and doesnt commit crimes out of hate or monitary gain

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On 6/2/09 at 4:54 PM, ronfromdowneast wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

berquis: This wasnot just one horrible mistake.

This was the third time he was CAUGHT driving drunk. He had two prior OUI convictions so how many times has he got behind the wheel drunk?

Think he gives a crap about ANYTHING?

Bad enough it was his friend that was killed as he was attempting to pass his own wife on the right.

Next time maybe it is you or me or a loved one.

He's a loser and should never be allowed to drive again. How many chances does he get???

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On 6/3/09 at 10:11 PM, jellybeanhelene917 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Yes, Mr Erickson CHOSE to drink and drive. Yes, Mr Erickson DESERVES to go to prison and pay the fines. Try to remember also, that SORRY TO SAY, MR GOULETTE ALSO MADE A CHOICE!! HE CHOSE TO GET INTO A VEHICLE WITH A DRUNK DRIVER!!!!!!!!!

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On 6/3/09 at 10:19 PM, jellybeanhelene917 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

I'm not saying Mr. Goulette deserved to die, I'm just saying that he chose to drive with someone knowing he could be killed and leave his son without a father. Selfish choice if you ask me. I feel saddened that his son is the one suffering for his poor choices.

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