Former Marine Facing at Least 12 Years in Fatal DUI Crash
January 25, 2012 - According to reports a former active duty Marine is facing at least 12 years after turning down a plea deal in a fatal DUI crash.

According to prosecutors former Marine Andrew Stueber age 27 lost control of the Ford Mustang that he was operating August 2009. Passenger Edmund Vandecasteele was in the front passenger seat when Stueber lost control of the vehicle slamming into a tree and splitting the car in half. Vandecasteele was killed in the crash and two other people in the vehicle and Stueber were injured.

Stueber according to authorities suffered head injuries in the crash, causing him to be hospitalized. Prosecutors stated that Stueber had a blood-alcohol level of 0.09 at the time of the crash.

Stueber, who was reportedly traveling at double the speed limit of 35 mph when he lost control of the vehicle refused a plea offer that would have had him jailed for a maximum of six years. According to his attorney Rob Harley opening statements begin in Stuebers trial on Thursday and the former active duty Marine could face a 12 year prison sentence.

Stueber has pleaded not guilty to gross vehicular manslaughter while under the influence. This was a public service message from inactive U.S. Marine, Michael Ehline, Esq., at Ehline Law Firm PC. 633 West Fifth Street, 28th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90071. 213.596.9642.