Driver Blames Drug Problems On Va Hospital

A man who could get a death sentence for the traffic deaths of two college students blamed his drug and alcohol problems on the Department of Veterans Affairs during the sentencing phase of his trial Monday.

Thomas Richard Jones was convicted of murder Friday in the deaths of two Wake Forest University students who were passengers in a vehicle that was struck by Jones’ truck on Sept. 4.

Jones, 40, wept as he testified before the jury that will decide whether he gets a death sentence or life imprisonment.

“It haunts me,” Jones said. “The thing that haunted me the most was whether they were saved or not. From the lady reading the applications at Wake Forest, I’m sure they were. I know they’re with Jesus.”

The prosecution’s lone witness Monday was a university official who read the victims’ admission applications. The hearing resumes Tuesday.

Jones said he had been battling problems with prescription drugs and alcohol abuse since 1980, and VA gave him more drugs. He said he has been in and out of treatment centers.

Under state law, a person who kills another while committing a separate dangerous felony can be prosecuted for first-degree murder, whether the death was intentional or not.

Prosecutors successfully argued that Jones committed two felonies - reckless drunken driving and assault with a deadly weapon.

Defense attorneys told the jury the deaths were accidental, and argued that Jones’ blood-alcohol level was below the state level for impairment.

A prosecution toxicologist testified that Jones was impaired by a combination of depressants, pain relievers and alcohol he had taken before the accident.