By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews

David E. Watts

LEESBURG — A Leesburg man received a six-year sentence after severely injuring a motorcyclist in a crash while driving under the influence.

David E. Watts, 51, 205 W. Van Buren St., Leesburg, was charged with causing serious bodily injury when operating a vehicle with an ACE of .08 or more, a level 5 felony. A marijuana possession charge was dismissed as part of a plea agreement.

Watts was sentenced in Kosciusko Superior Court Three on Tuesday, Feb. 22.

At 4:48 p.m. June 18, 2020, emergency personnel responded to a two-vehicle accident at the intersection of Main and Van Buren streets in Leesburg.

Watts was traveling south on Main Street in a 2011 Chrysler 200. Watts began to turn east onto Van Buren Street when he entered the path of a northbound Harley-Davidson motorcycle driven by Joshua Parker, Syracuse. The motorcycle hit the front passenger side corner of the Chrysler.

Parker sustained severe lacerations to his upper thigh and arm and was airlifted to a South Bend hospital.

During court proceedings, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Mark Caruso submitted a letter from Parker and medical bills as evidence in court. Caruso said Parker had multiple surgeries following the accident. He also noted that Watts has a previous OWI.

Defense Attorney Seth Tipton said Watts had true remorse for his actions and was at low risk to reoffend. He asked Kosciusko Superior Court Three Judge Chad Miner to consider Watts’ minimal criminal history and his remorse as mitigators.

Watts also apologized for his actions in court.

“I can’t change what happened,” said Watts. “I think of the accident every day.”

Parker and his family attended the proceedings; toward the end of his statement, Watts turned to Parker and apologized.

“Unfortunately we can’t turn back time and make things different,” said Judge Miner. “You made a bad choice and injured someone severely.”

For causing serious bodily injury when operating a vehicle, Judge Miner sentenced Watts to six years in the Kosciusko County Jail, with three years executed and three years suspended on probation. Judge Miner showed no objection to Watts serving the executed sentence through the county’s work release program but did object to participation in community corrections.

Watts must pay $207,419.37 in restitution to Parker. He is obligated to pay a minimum of $400 a month in restitution. Watts’ driving privileges were also suspended for six years. After the sentencing, Watts was remanded into custody.