A man whose decision to drive drunk cost one man his life in December 2009 pleaded guilty to DUI-manslaughter Friday in Pasco Circuit Court.
Thomas M. Fitzgerald, 56, of 7901 Yucca Drive, was sentenced to 17 years in prison, including a four-year minimum mandatory. Fitzgerald's driver's license was revoked for life.
Fitzgerald had a blood-alcohol level of 0.24 percent and failed to stop his 2003 Ford Sport Trac for traffic at State Road 54 and Seven Springs Boulevard, investigators said. State law considers a driver intoxicated at 0.08 percent.
Fitzgerald's eastbound SUV plowed into the back of a 2001 Honda Accord driven by Corey Erario of Land O' Lakes. The impact killed 52-year-old James E. Kiewra, who was riding in the backseat with his wife of nearly 30 years, Karen.
Karen Kiewra, Corey Erario and Erario's wife, Carla, who was in the passenger seat, were all seriously injured. The Kiewras and Erarios were long-time friends who had just enjoyed dinner at a nearby Italian restaurant when the accident happened, according to a letter in the court file.
The initial crash pushed the Honda into oncoming traffic and caused a second collision between it and a 2003 Ford Explorer. Fitzgerald's vehicle continued across the intersection and struck the front of a 2003 Infiniti that was traveling north on Seven Springs.
The Infiniti's driver, Christopher J. Alfonso, of Clearwater, and his passenger suffered minor injuries, troopers said.
The Ford Explorer's driver, Tina Peyton of New Port Richey, and her three passengers, including two children, also received minor injuries.
Fitzgerald was so intoxicated that he "did not comprehend the severity of the crash," according to court records.
tleskanic@tampatrib.com
(813) 731-8098
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