BECKLEY, W.V. (LOOTPRESS) – A man charged with driving under the influence causing death after a 2019 accident involving a vehicle and a four-wheeler pleaded guilty to the single count indictment in Raleigh County Circuit Court Tuesday morning.
Adam Donnell, 39, pled guilty to DUI causing death in front of Judge Andrew Dimlich.
According to police reports, on April 13, 2019, Donnell was driving impaired and was on the wrong side of Sullivan Road when he hit Jalen Tucker, 26, head-on. Tucker was said to have been taking his four-wheeler out to get gasoline.
When police arrived at the scene, it was clear that Tucker had died from the trauma of the injuries sustained during the accident.
Donnell was questioned at the scene and agreed to take a sobriety test, as well as a blood test. The results of those tests indicated that there were various substances in Donnell’s system. Later he admitted on video to taking two Xanax two hours prior to the accident and to using heroin two to three days prior.
Donnell was arrested and charged with DUI causing death. He was indicted in September of 2019.
By pleading guilty to the single count indictment on Tuesday, Donnell waived his right to a public trial, as well as any and all aspects of a public trial.
According to Judge Dimlich, Tuesday’s plea is not binding, meaning a pre-sentence investigation will be conducted prior to the sentencing hearing. Then, both the state and the defense can make arguments to decide on sentencing.
Sentencing for DUI causing death is confinement of no less than three years and no more than 15 years. The defense can argue for home confinement, but Judge Dimlich stated there will be some form of incarceration.
Due to the violence of the crime, the state requested on Tuesday that Donnell’s bond be revoked. Judge Dimlich granted the motion.
Sentencing is currently scheduled for Thursday, August 19, 2021, at 9 a.m.
