Driver Who Killed Cyclists Gets 2 Years in Prison

A Dallas judge sentenced Kenneth Bain Thursday to two years in prison, 10 years of probation and more than $5,000 in fines for his role in a deadly accident more than a year ago.

Bain pleaded guilty to two counts of manslaughter for the June 8, 2008 crash that killed two bicyclists near Joe Pool Lake.

Meredith Hatch and Michael Alfaro were competitive cyclists riding around Joe Pool Lake as part of their training when they were hit.

Bain failed a sobriety test at the scene and was charged with intoxication manslaughter.

During sentencing prosecutors showed pictures and diagrams from the accident scene and displayed the mangled bicycles that belonged to the victims. The 911 call Bain made from the scene was also played in court.

"It just doesn't seem very fair, just two years for two deaths," Hatch's husband, Sherman Hatch, testified before final sentencing. "I guess the manner -- smoking pot and drinking all night long, that's how the deaths resulted -- I guess is what's the most insulting, hurtful, frustrating part of this whole thing."

As a condition of probation, Bain cannot consume alcohol and must participate in 320 community service hours and substance abuse education.

Judge Gracie Lewis also ruled that after Bain is released from prison, as part of the 10-year probation, he must spend 18 days each year in jail. Those days include 10 days at Christmas, 4 days at Hatch's birthday and four days at Alfaro's birthday.

Lewis also ruled that when Bain is released from prison, the court will assess restitution that Bain must pay to the victims' family.

Relatives of the victims said they believe Bain deserves more jail time for what happened.

"Two individuals were killed because of bad choices, not because of just an accident,"  Sherman Hatch told reporters outside of court.
 

Contact Us