Spring Hill man gets 12 years in wreck that killed three

A week before he was set to stand trial on charges that could have sent him to prison for life, a Spring Hill man pleaded guilty today in a Christmas Day 2007 wreck that killed three people.

David A. Belniak, 37, was sentenced to 12 years in state prison. He also must serve 10 years of probation after his release.

In a deal with prosecutors, Belniak pleaded guilty to three counts of driving under the influence-manslaughter and one count of DUI with serious bodily injury.

The state and defense had been negotiating for weeks, said Belniak's lawyer.

"Both sides had risks going into trial," defense attorney Stephen Romine said.

On the afternoon of Dec. 25, 2007, troopers said, Belniak was heading north on U.S. 19 when his Nissan Titan pickup barreled into the back of a Chevrolet Tahoe at Little Road.

The Chevy's driver, Raymond McWilliams of Hudson, had three passengers: his wife, Linda, 66; and Gerard and Denise Bassi, of Connecticut.

Gerard Bassi, 51, was killed at the scene. Denise Bassi, 50, and Linda McWilliams were flown to a hospital but later died.

Belniak was arrested in January 2008 on three counts each of DUI manslaughter and vehicular homicide, and one count each of DUI with serious bodily injury and reckless driving.

Investigators determined he was traveling 88 mph in a 55 mph zone, the Florida Highway Patrol said.

His blood-alcohol content was 0.045; below the 0.08 level at which Florida law presumes intoxication.

Authorities also said Belniak had cocaine metabolites and Xanax in his system.

Romine said his client had a prescription for Xanax. He also said state and defense experts agreed Belniak was not under the influence of cocaine at the time.

Romine said there was conflicting testimony as to how fast the Nissan was traveling and whether the Chevy was stopped at a red light.

"There were definitely going to be two different sides, even as to how the accident happened," he said.

Prosecutors could not be reached for comment.

Belniak had been free on $330,000 bail since the day of his arrest.

In 2004, he was sentenced to two years in state prison for trafficking in GHB, the so-called date rape drug, in a Pasco County case, according to the Department of Corrections.