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Wrong-way Fatal Crash Sends Michigan Man to Prison

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Posted: 2:08 PM Jun 27, 2008
Last Updated: 4:41 PM Jun 27, 2008
Reporter: Associated Press

9 comments

A | A | A

A judge has sentenced an Adrian man to 43 years in prison for a wrong-way crash in Toledo, Ohio, that killed a mother and four children from Maryland.
Before she sentenced him Friday, Lucas County Common Pleas Judge Linda Jennings called Michael Gagnon a dangerous person who has a drinking problem and doesn't know it.
Police say Gagnon was driving drunk and in the wrong direction on a Toledo interstate Dec. 30 when his pickup truck hit a minivan filled with eight people coming home from a Christmas trip.
Gagnon had been out drinking at a New Year's party before he struck the van.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Kristy Location: MI on Jun 28, 2008 at 10:42 PM
Everyone is entitled to their own opinions. HOWEVER, he took the LIVES Of innocent LITTLE CHILDREN, who wont ever get the chance to live to be 43 yrs old! And when you see pictures of the crash scene and see the BABY CAR SEAT thrown into the middle of the road, it is sickening to think that an ADULT made such a "bad decision" that he killed a little baby ! Sorry I stand by my opinion, 43 yrs isnt long enough.

Posted by: Anonymous on Jun 28, 2008 at 01:24 AM
43 YEARS IS LIFE TO SOME ONE HIS AGE

Posted by: Richard Location: Lansing on Jun 28, 2008 at 01:13 AM
A judge usually gets it right in a case like this, a balance between, those who would punish too much and those who would be too lenient, at the spot where justice sets. I don't believe this man got drunk with the intent of killing a family and we need to reserve the maximum penalty for the monsters that 'plan' to do what this foolish man did. Yet the punishment must deter other drunks from doing the same thing and hopefully teach this drunk that what he did was WRONG. Finding the spot where Justice sets is a tough job when it's done correctly and personally I think this judge got it about right.

Posted by: Pam Location: Jackson on Jun 27, 2008 at 09:45 PM
He made a mistake. The mistake was that was not pulled over and arrested. I do not have sympathy for drunk drivers who causes accidents and fatalities. Would we fault him if he was carrying a loaded gun while he was drunk?

Posted by: Scott Location: Florida on Jun 27, 2008 at 08:06 PM
I second Jimmy's motion, or something along those lines.

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Michigan on Jun 27, 2008 at 06:45 PM
I think 43 years is too long. The guy is not a murderer, but made a bad decision.

Posted by: Jimmy Location: Washington State on Jun 27, 2008 at 06:23 PM
We should reinstate death penalty and also we should legalize cruel and unusual punishments. People who cause traffic accident under the influence should loose both arms so he/she cannot drive anymore.

Posted by: Brian Location: Hillsdale on Jun 27, 2008 at 05:22 PM
Chain him to the ground and run over him!

Posted by: Kristy Location: MI on Jun 27, 2008 at 04:43 PM
my opinion is 43 years isnt long enough for the number of fatalities. It should have been LIFE.

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