DUI, Traffic and Criminal Law Defense
- Virginia Beach driver accused of DUI deaths in crash pleads guilty
Aug 25, 2010A man charged with two counts of aggravated manslaughter and one count of drunk driving in a January Virginia Beach car wreck has pleaded guilty.
The manslaughter charges were filed against driver Christopher D. Dockiewicz, 45, of Virginia Beach for causing the deaths of an English couple. Dockiewicz is accused of being under the influenced of alcohol when he caused the accident.
The victims, Anthony Eden Tonking, 74, and Jean Mary Tonking, 72.were driving north on Princess Anne Road when the crash happened. Dockiewicz,, who was headed in the opposite direction, lost control of his vehicle and crossed over into their lane.
The head on collision took the lives of the Tonkings, who were in the United States visiting their daughter and grandchildren in Virginia Beach. Virginia Beach police estimate that Dockiewicz was speeding at 77 to 100 miles per hour when he hit them, which contributed to the severity of the crash. He was also intoxicated.
If convicted on the manslaughter charges he faces at least one year in jail and a maximum of 41 years. According to his attorney, Dockiewicz is remorseful and accepts responsibility for the role he played in the couple's death. He will find out his fate on November 1, 2010, when he is sentenced.
