A man from Alabama has been sentenced to life in prison following a tragic hit-and-run incident that claimed the life of a well-liked motorcyclist.
Brett Amerson, aged 59, was found guilty at the end of April on a charge of reckless murder in connection with the death of Bradley Ray Patterson, aged 39, as reported by The Cullman Times.
According to the Cullman County District Attorney's Office, Amerson was driving a box truck on December 18, 2018, the fateful day when Patterson lost his life.
Subsequent testing revealed that Amerson had a blood-alcohol level at least three times the legal limit.
Patterson was struck by the large white truck while he had the right of way on Alabama State Route 157 near the 310 exit overpass.
Multiple witnesses reported that the box truck veered across the median near Interstate 65 in Cullman, collided with the motorcyclist, and then fled the scene, as stated by Birmingham-based ABC affiliate WBMA.
Amerson was apprehended by Cullman County Sheriff's deputies about 21 miles south of the incident.
A breathalyzer test initially resulted in a charge of felony DUI. However, the charge was later significantly upgraded.
On Tuesday, Cullman County Circuit Judge Martha Williams sentenced Amerson to 131 years in prison. He will receive credit for the four-and-a-half years served during pretrial detention.
At the time of his arrest, the defendant was on probation after accepting a plea deal for an attempted murder charge dating back to 2016 when he allegedly fired a gun at another individual.
As part of the agreement, Amerson pleaded guilty to shooting into an occupied dwelling in exchange for three years of probation, as reported by WBMA.
However, Amerson's extensive criminal record related to previous drunk driving incidents, dating back to 1998, played a significant role in the case.
He had been arrested 11 times and convicted twice for DUI-related offenses.
"The evidence presented at the trial proved that the defendant was highly intoxicated and driving recklessly when the crash occurred," stated Cullman County District Attorney Champ Crocker following the conviction, according to The Cullman Tribune. "I am also proud that we were able to deliver justice for Bradley Patterson's family."
The victim left behind several family members, including two teenage children, who continue to mourn their loss.
"It's lonely," expressed Patterson's grandmother, Doris Harris, in an interview with WBMA. "We miss him, but we know he's in a better place."
Patterson's brother, Brian Patterson, shared his feelings with the TV station, saying, "Every day, I wake up and hope it's all been a dream, that I'll eventually wake up and everything will return to normal."
During sentencing, prosecutors strongly advocated for a severe punishment, citing the defendant's "heinous crime and extensive criminal history," as stated in a courtroom report by the Birmingham News.
"He did take responsibility for what happened and showed some remorse upon learning of Mr. Patterson's passing," commented Cullman Police
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