Prison imposed for fatal DUI crash

Jan. 10--An Augusta who was drunk when he drove his pickup into a tree, killing one friend and critically injuring a second, was sentenced to 10 years in prison Thursday.

Samuel Johnson, 54, pleaded guilty in Richmond County Superior Court to vehicular homicide, serious injury by vehicle, possession of cocaine, and driving under the influence and other traffic offenses.

It was around 6 p.m. Nov. 20 when Johnson crashed his pickup head-on into a pine tree on the side of Travis Road, said Assistant District Attorney Mark Shaeffer. Neither Johnson nor his passengers were wearing seatbelts.

Johnson's blood alcohol content was .192. A driver is presumed impaired at .08. Johnson also had three grams of cocaine in a pants pocket, Shaefer said.

Arden "Lee" Jackson, 47, died of blunt force trauma Dec. 3. Sheila McDuffie suffered a broken arm and cracked spine but she recovered.

In honoring the victim's mother's wishes, Shaefer said he agreed to limit Johnson's time in prison to seven years. But that was a sentence Judge John Flythe told Johnson he couldn't accept. He said he believed 10 years would be more appropriate and after talking with his attorney, Johnson said he wanted to go forward with his plea.

Flythe imposed the 10-year prison term and an additional 10 years probation. Conditions of probation include no driving under the influence or driving without a license and insurance.