An Osceola man has pleaded guilty to manslaughter in a March 2010 car accident, in which Heather Franklin, 24, of Osceola, was killed.
William Chad Daniels, 35, pleaded guilty in Mississippi County Circuit Court Monday and was sentenced to 10 years (120 months) probation by Judge Victor Hill.
According to Second Judicial District Prosecutor Scott Ellington, the negotiated plea was in the best interest of justice in this case.
Explaining, Ellington said because of the severity of the collision, the Osceola Police Department was unable to give Daniels a blood test before he was airlifted to The Regional Medical Center in Memphis for treatment of injuries.
Six hours elapsed before a nurse with the Shelby County Sheriff's Department was able to draw the defendant's blood.
"By this time, he had already been given several units of blood by the hospital personnel," Ellington noted.
At this time, Daniels tested at .06 which is below the level for a felony offense.
Ellington said he discussed the case with Franklin's family and they agreed the plea would be in the "best interest of justice."
Judge Hill sentenced Daniels to 120 months probation on the charge of manslaughter; and 120 days in the city jail with work release on the DWI charge.
He was also given a $1,140 fine.
On March 28, 2010, at approximately 6:15 a.m., a police report states Franklin's vehicle was traveling west on Keiser Avenue in the left lane, and Daniels was traveling eastbound in the wrong lane of the divided highway. Daniels' vehicle apparently skidded approximately 48 feet before striking Franklin's vehicle head-on.
Franklin was pronounced dead at the scene. Daniels was flown from the scene to The Med where he was at first listed in critical condition.
Daniels was late arrested and charged with manslaughter, DWI second offense and driving the wrong way in a one-way zone.