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Man Gets 16 Years For Road Rage Incident Play Video
Posted: Nov 19, 2009 5:13 PM
Updated: Nov 19, 2009 11:08 PM
CORPUS CHRISTI - A man found guilty of causing a road rage accident that paralyzed a young man has been sentenced to 16 years in prison Thursday afternoon.
Twenty-three year old Manuel Olachia was convicted of running an SUV off the road and causing it to roll over on the Harbor Bridge.
The crash happened 2 years ago. The passenger in the SUV, 22 year old Kelby Eddleman was left paralyzed.
It was an emotional goodbye for Olachia and his family.
He was sentenced to 16 years for each of his four counts of aggravated assault, and 5 years for each of his 4 counts of failing to render aid. The sentence will run concurrently.
"What you did to him [Kelby] that night, you got 16 years, you gave him a life sentence. It doesn't equate. It never will be equal," said Kelby's father Kyde Eddleman whose son is now paralyzed from the waist down because of the accident. "Right now he has to live with us, and he's dependent upon us for pretty much all of his needs."
Olachia will be leaving behind his baby and wife.
His last words before leaving the courtroom to his family were," Bye, I love you guys."
The prosecution agreed to a 16 year sentence as long as Olachia doesn't appeal his conviction.
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johnr at Nov 20th 2009 9:20 AM
Don't pity Olachia, he made his decision. I do feel sorry for his young family who will have to be on their own for the next 16 years. I feel even sorrier for the Eddleman famly, who will have to live with this for the rest of ther lives. Hopefully this story will make somebody think the next time they are driving and lose their temper.
jo at Nov 20th 2009 3:32 PM
They not only gave him 16 yrs but his family too. He has his wife that won't wake up to her husband every morning his daughter that won't wake up to her daddy. Won't be able to see her 1st step her 1st words her first day of school... and his parents that can't see their son everyday. But the eddleman family gets to wake up everyday to see their son kiss him before he goes to bed and when he wakes up. Does kelby get no fault in this just cause he is paralized? What about the driver she was drunk why isn't she locked up for drinking and driving?
anonymous at Nov 21st 2009 11:35 AM
Wow that was so unexpected I sat in and watched the trial the last couple of days for a paper I had to write and never did I expect a guilty verdict. "Jo" I agree with you completly. Why is the driver of the tahoe not behind bars for getting behind the wheel and driving? Noone could put him at the sceen of the accident not even the main witness who saw the whole thing. I believe this is a case of a inocent man serving time for mistaken identity. I spoke to Mr. Olachia and his family outside the court room and I just want to wish them the best of luck and you will be in my prayers.
May at Nov 27th 2009 6:01 PM
I totally agree. Monica the driver of the tahoe should be sharing some of the time in prison.You choose to drink and drive.As far as Mr Eddleman u made ur decision and that was not putting ur seat belt on.Sorry but that is a fact whether u like it or not.