Judge J. Michael Williamson sentenced John Englert to five to 11 years in prison for running his boat into another while under the influence of alcohol, killing 12-year-old Valerie Heidt, the Centre Daily Times reported.
The deadly boat crash took place on the Susquehanna River on July 10, 2009.
But while his waterborne DUI took the life of a young girl, homicide by watercraft while under the influence is a lesser felony than homicide by land-bound vehicle while under the influence. A Philadelphia DUI lawyer could better explain the reasons for the difference.
The victim's mother, Andi Heidt, had sought a stiffer sentence for the man who took the life of her daughter but the judge said only legislators have the power to change the law. District Attorney Mike Salisbury said the hardest moment of his career was telling Andi Heidt about the lesser sentence for the fatal boating DUI:
"We're handicapped today. Contrary to common sense, if he killed Valerie on Water Street instead of on the river [Englert would have faced a sentence almost twice as long]."
But the DA is hopeful that Valerie Heidt's sad story could change the law and put boating DUIs in line with automobile DUI offenses with respect to sentences.
Andi Heidt pleaded with the judge to hand down a harsher sentence, expressing outrage that the offender who killed her daughter only will be in prison for five to 11 years:
"If John Englert is released after only five years, he will most likely kill someone else in a car or a boat. ... You, your honor, are my last hope. You are the last line of defense in protecting people from John Englert's carelessness and lack of regard for human life."
Mike Salisbury said he already has asked for the support of the Pennsylvania District Attorney's Association and would like, at the very least, longer sentences for deadly boating DUIs where the victim is 14 years old or younger.
Related Resources:
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Boating Under the Influence: BUI (FindLaw)
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Find a Philadelphia DUI Attorney (FindLaw)
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Don't Let Boating "Under the Influence" Spoil Fun on the Water (FindLaw Insider Blog)
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