Friend of Drunk Driver Faces Manslaughter Charges November 19, 2001
News Summary
New Jersey Superior Court Judge William Forester rejected a motion to dismiss manslaughter charges against a Salem, N.J., man who allowed a drunk friend to drive, the Associated Press reported Nov. 19.The judge ruled that a jury should decide whether Kenneth Powell, 40, committed a crime. Powell picked up his friend, Michael Pangle, from police headquarters after Pangle was charged with drunken driving.
Rather than give Pangle a ride home, Powell returned Pangle to his vehicle. An hour later, Pangle slammed his sports utility vehicle into a car driven by Navy Ensign John R. Elliott, 22. Both men were killed.
Powell was charged with manslaughter, vehicular homicide, and aggravated assault by auto. If convicted, he could face up to 15 years in prison.
Powell's lawyer, Carl Roeder, said his client should not be held accountable for the deaths. He argued that Powell didn't know Pangle was drunk and that state police hadn't informed him of Pangle's blood-alcohol level.
But prosecutor Michael Ostrowski countered that Pangle showed signs of drunkenness, including slurred speech and the inability to stand or walk straight. "He was an accomplice to a crime that night," Ostrowski said of Powell.
Powell's trial date has not yet been set.
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