This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Crime & Safety

Fredericksburg Man Sentenced For Fatal Crash

21-year-old also will serve time for DUI

The Fredericksburg man who was behind the wheel during a crash that killed his 21-year-old friend was sentenced today in Spotsylvania Circuit Court.

Clifford Jerom Smith was sentenced to 10 years, with six years suspended, for involuntary manslaughter and 12 months, with six months suspended, for DUI, according to Spotsylvania Deputy Commonwealth's Attorney Thomas Shaia, who prosecuted the case.

Smith, 21, was driving late on April 12, 2010, when he lost control of the car and it ran off the road and flipped, according to court records. Smith's friend, Nicholas Stephen Reid, 21, was ejected through the rear window and died at the scene, Shaia said in a statement.

Find out what's happening in Fredericksburgwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Before the crash, the pair drank Sparks, an alcoholic energy drink, and then went to the AMF Bowling Lanes in Spotsylvania, according to court records. Smith also bought a pitcher of beer at AMF.

They left AMF with another friend, Stephen Buta, who sat in the back of the car. Smith began to drive recklessly and Buta testified that he asked Smith to "calm down" several times, court records state. Smith proceeded to Piedmont Drive, where he accelerated, bouncing the car at the bottom of a hill then speeding around a curve, which he took too wide. The car veered into a yard and glanced off a tree. It crossed a driveway before rolling and flipping and coming to rest on its hood, according to court records.

Find out what's happening in Fredericksburgwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Smith and Buta escaped the crash with non-life-threatening injuries.

Smith's blood alcohol level was later shown to be .13 percent, according to Shaia.

Shaia argued for a stiff sentence, pointing out the "affect on the family of Mr. Reid, and that the public needed to be protected from the defendant's behavior," according to the prosecutor's statement, which added that Smith had previously been ordered by the court to attend alcohol treatment, though he had no prior DUI charges.

The defense pointed out the "continued ties that exist between the victim's family and the defendant and his family."

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.