The man who killed a University of Kentucky student in a drunk driving crash took a plea deal on Monday to avoid going to trial and is now facing up to 20 years in prison. Joseph Siami, 32, was originally charged with murder in the death of 20-year-old Chase Lawson, who was also a South Oldham graduate. In November 2021, Siami hit the car carrying Lawson and two others along LaGrange Road. While the two other people survived the crash, Lawson later died at the hospital. In court, Siami confirmed he had multiple alcoholic beverages that night. He was also speeding when he hit the vehicle with Lawson inside. On Monday, he pleaded down to manslaughter in the second degree, for which the prosecution is recommending 10 years in prison. He was also charged with two counts of assault in the first degree, which were both amended down to assault in the second degree. For these two charges, the prosecution recommended a sentence of five years each. They recommended that all three sentences be served consecutively, so this means he faces up to 20 years in prison.He is also still charged with criminal mischief in the first degree, for which the prosecution recommended five years in prison, and operating a vehicle under the influence, for which the prosecution recommended 30 days in jail. The state recommended that both sentences be served concurrently with the 20-year sentence. They also recommended a $100 fine for speeding. A Mother’s Against Drunk Driving advocate was in the courtroom in support of the family on Monday. “The impact that this has had on the family and their loved ones has been everlasting and devastating,” said Sabrina Hill, MADD regional manager for Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio. “We’re here today to just be a support to the family and hoping that the sentence imposed on the defendant is a reflection of the pain that has been inflicted on this family for so many years.””The moment you decide to get in a vehicle after you’ve been drinking or using drugs, you then turn that vehicle into a weapon,” she added. Siami’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for May.
The man who killed a University of Kentucky student in a drunk driving crash took a plea deal on Monday to avoid going to trial and is now facing up to 20 years in prison.
Joseph Siami, 32, was originally charged with murder in the death of 20-year-old Chase Lawson, who was also a South Oldham graduate.
In November 2021, Siami hit the car carrying Lawson and two others along LaGrange Road.
While the two other people survived the crash, Lawson later died at the hospital.
In court, Siami confirmed he had multiple alcoholic beverages that night. He was also speeding when he hit the vehicle with Lawson inside.
On Monday, he pleaded down to manslaughter in the second degree, for which the prosecution is recommending 10 years in prison.
He was also charged with two counts of assault in the first degree, which were both amended down to assault in the second degree. For these two charges, the prosecution recommended a sentence of five years each.
They recommended that all three sentences be served consecutively, so this means he faces up to 20 years in prison.
He is also still charged with criminal mischief in the first degree, for which the prosecution recommended five years in prison, and operating a vehicle under the influence, for which the prosecution recommended 30 days in jail.
The state recommended that both sentences be served concurrently with the 20-year sentence.
They also recommended a $100 fine for speeding.
A Mother’s Against Drunk Driving advocate was in the courtroom in support of the family on Monday.
“The impact that this has had on the family and their loved ones has been everlasting and devastating,” said Sabrina Hill, MADD regional manager for Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio. “We’re here today to just be a support to the family and hoping that the sentence imposed on the defendant is a reflection of the pain that has been inflicted on this family for so many years.”
“The moment you decide to get in a vehicle after you’ve been drinking or using drugs, you then turn that vehicle into a weapon,” she added.
Siami’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for May.