Officer Sentenced For Drunken Driving

Sat., July 31, 1999

A former Bellevue police officer was sentenced to three years, five months in prison Friday for a drunken driving accident that killed an Ohio man and severely injured an off-duty state trooper.

Eric Thomas, 29, had pleaded guilty last month to one count of vehicular homicide and one count of vehicular assault in the New Year’s Day crash.

King County Superior Court Judge Charles Mertel rejected Thomas’ plea for leniency Thursday.

“You drove drunk,” Mertel said. “You drove recklessly. You exercised judgment that wasn’t prudent.”

Thomas had two passengers in his car when he lost control and crossed the center line, hitting another car head-on. Thomas’ blood-alcohol content was tested at .08 - the state’s legal limit under stricter drunken driving laws that had taken effect just hours before.

Passenger Brian Grooms, 26, of Washington Court House, Ohio, was killed. State Trooper Jeremy Reid, 27, suffered brain injuries from which he is still struggling to recover.

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Officer Sentenced For Drunken Driving

Jesse Tinsley

Jim Meehan

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