In case people happen by like I did, here is the sentencing summary:
“About eight months ago, friends and family watched in horror as Jeff Archer was struck and killed while crossing a road in Mooresville.
“That’s something they won’t get out of their minds,” Assistant District Attorney Elizabeth Floyd said during Claydon Laural Turner’s plea hearing on Friday. “It was a tragedy.”
Turner, the man behind the wheel of the vehicle that struck Archer on July 20, 2016, pleaded guilty Friday to driving while impaired and felony death by vehicle.
Floyd told the court that alcohol was not a factor in the crash, but at least five substances showed up on Turner’s toxicology report. One of those was methamphetamine, she said.
Turner, 31, of Hickory, was sentenced to between three years, six months and five years, four months in prison. He will receive credit for the 233 days he’s spent in jail awaiting trial.
Archer, 52, was a well-known businessman in Statesville who ran First Flight Bicycles for more than 20 years. On Friday, the shop was open and busy, according to Wesley Davidson, who worked with Archer for years.
Family and friends were let down by the amount of time Turner received for taking the life of Archer, who was a father, activist and local business leader.
“We believe that (taking) a life should be worth far more than either a six-year or an eight-year sentence behind bars,” said Archer’s father, Carl, during the hearing. “… Jeff, on the other hand, will never see the light of day, as he is gone forever.”
Turner sobbed as his actions on July 20, 2016 were described in court Friday.
About 7 p.m. that day, Turner ran a red light and struck Archer, who was walking across Williamson Road at Market Place Drive in Mooresville, according to the Mooresville Police Department.
“Jeff Archer never stood a chance against this man barreling down on him,” friend Linda Rahtes said during Friday’s hearing.
Archer was on his way to a classic car cruise-in event nearby, Floyd said. When an MPD officer arrived at the scene, Turner said he thought the light was green and didn’t see Archer. Multiple witness statements indicated the light was red, she said.
The officer took a closer look at Turner and saw “fresh” puncture marks in his arms, Floyd told the judge. Turner’s eyes were also droopy and he was unable to pass sobriety tests at the scene.
An autopsy report determined Archer died from blunt force trauma, Floyd said.
Turner’s attorney, Seth Johnson, told the judge, “You can’t undo what’s already been done,” before he read a letter Turner wrote to Archer’s family.
“I don’t know the despair, pain or loss that you’re all feeling,” Turner wrote. “(But) I know the shame of being the reason that caused such a tragedy.”
Johnson told the judge that Turner has taken full responsibility of what happened and is remorseful. Turner has a young daughter. He’s originally from Texas and made industrial and commercial furniture for a living.
On the day of the crash, Turner had relapsed and started using drugs again, Johnson added.
“I know my words or the sentence I receive today will not even closely amount to the precious life that was lost on July 20,” Turner’s letter said.
Loving the return to the storyline!
Yes! And high time too!
/SadFace Poignant that this strip should be the news from this evening. (FYI Everyone.)
http://www.wsicweb.com/wsicnews/owner-of-first-flight-bicycles-killed-in-mooresville-accident/
In case people happen by like I did, here is the sentencing summary:
“About eight months ago, friends and family watched in horror as Jeff Archer was struck and killed while crossing a road in Mooresville.
“That’s something they won’t get out of their minds,” Assistant District Attorney Elizabeth Floyd said during Claydon Laural Turner’s plea hearing on Friday. “It was a tragedy.”
Turner, the man behind the wheel of the vehicle that struck Archer on July 20, 2016, pleaded guilty Friday to driving while impaired and felony death by vehicle.
Floyd told the court that alcohol was not a factor in the crash, but at least five substances showed up on Turner’s toxicology report. One of those was methamphetamine, she said.
Turner, 31, of Hickory, was sentenced to between three years, six months and five years, four months in prison. He will receive credit for the 233 days he’s spent in jail awaiting trial.
Archer, 52, was a well-known businessman in Statesville who ran First Flight Bicycles for more than 20 years. On Friday, the shop was open and busy, according to Wesley Davidson, who worked with Archer for years.
Family and friends were let down by the amount of time Turner received for taking the life of Archer, who was a father, activist and local business leader.
“We believe that (taking) a life should be worth far more than either a six-year or an eight-year sentence behind bars,” said Archer’s father, Carl, during the hearing. “… Jeff, on the other hand, will never see the light of day, as he is gone forever.”
Turner sobbed as his actions on July 20, 2016 were described in court Friday.
About 7 p.m. that day, Turner ran a red light and struck Archer, who was walking across Williamson Road at Market Place Drive in Mooresville, according to the Mooresville Police Department.
“Jeff Archer never stood a chance against this man barreling down on him,” friend Linda Rahtes said during Friday’s hearing.
Archer was on his way to a classic car cruise-in event nearby, Floyd said. When an MPD officer arrived at the scene, Turner said he thought the light was green and didn’t see Archer. Multiple witness statements indicated the light was red, she said.
The officer took a closer look at Turner and saw “fresh” puncture marks in his arms, Floyd told the judge. Turner’s eyes were also droopy and he was unable to pass sobriety tests at the scene.
An autopsy report determined Archer died from blunt force trauma, Floyd said.
Turner’s attorney, Seth Johnson, told the judge, “You can’t undo what’s already been done,” before he read a letter Turner wrote to Archer’s family.
“I don’t know the despair, pain or loss that you’re all feeling,” Turner wrote. “(But) I know the shame of being the reason that caused such a tragedy.”
Johnson told the judge that Turner has taken full responsibility of what happened and is remorseful. Turner has a young daughter. He’s originally from Texas and made industrial and commercial furniture for a living.
On the day of the crash, Turner had relapsed and started using drugs again, Johnson added.
“I know my words or the sentence I receive today will not even closely amount to the precious life that was lost on July 20,” Turner’s letter said.
https://statesville.com/news/man-sentenced-in-death-of-statesville-business-owner-jeff-archer/article_6398b0ca-05c7-11e7-8e7b-bb84aa90d736.html