THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, February 4, 1995 TAG: 9502040309
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Short : 37 lines
A man convicted of involuntary manslaughter in the death of his friend last April in a motorcycle accident was sentenced Friday to 30 days in jail.
Jason Knecht, 22, was charged with involuntary manslaughter and driving under the influence of alcohol soon after the fatal accident on April 8. Late last year, Knecht pleaded guilty to manslaughter. The DUI charge was deferred.
Circuit Judge Robert W. Stewart gave Knecht a five-year prison sentence, with all but 30 days suspended, plus five years of probation.
Knecht was riding with fellow sailor Carl L. Hall, 19, on a motorcycle eastbound on Interstate 264, just past Merrimac Avenue, when the accident occurred.
Knecht, the driver, was speeding when he lost control on a curve. The motorcycle hit a guard rail. Hall, the passenger, was catapulted off the motorcycle and fell from a highway overpass, landing about 100 feet away.
Hall was pronounced dead at the scene. Knecht suffered multiple fractures.
When he regained consciousness after the accident, Knecht's first words were for people to help his friend, said Knecht's lawyer, William Taliaferro.
Both men had been drinking before the accident, which occurred about 2 a.m., court records show. Knecht had a blood alcohol content of 0.16 percent. An autopsy showed Hall had a blood alcohol content of 0.09 percent.
Both men were stationed aboard the carrier Dwight D. Eisenhower.
KEYWORDS: DRUNKEN DRIVING MANSLAUGHTER FATALITY ACCIDENT TRAFFIC
MOTORCYCLE by CNB