A man who took the life of two people in an accident in the City of Sonoma, California, in 2015, has been sentenced to two years in county jail. The verdict was handed out by a California court on Wednesday, February 26th.

The man, Christopher Shuman, 32, of Napa, was tried on a count of misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter for causing the deaths of Richard and Fay Steinhart. The deceased couple’s son, Brian Dabel, addressing the court, said the convicted man should never have been on the road.

Dabel lamented the fact that Shuman was driving with a suspended license when the accident happened. The evidence of the case showed that the convict had methamphetamine in his bloodstream, and was driving under the influence.

Shuman’s driver’s license had been suspended after two DUI arrests. On the night of the accident, he was driving beyond the speed limit on Highway 121, south of Sonoma, and had little control over his vehicle.

The case against the Napa native was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Robert L. Blade of the DA Vertical DUI Unit. He had the assistance of  Robyn Katz and Greg Wojcik, and victim advocate, Elizabeth Garcia.

The investigation was headed by the California Highway Patrol, and the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration provided the funding.

A vehicular manslaughter charge is a severe offense in California. The courts try each one on its merit and would take into account the circumstance of each case, and the conduct of the accused.

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