ALBION – Wednesday, Judge Robert Kirsch of the Noble Superior Court sentenced Samuel Davis Jr. for causing the death of a person while operating while intoxicated, a Class B felony.
Kirsch sentenced Davis to 18 years in the Indiana Department of Corrections, with 15 years executed and three years formal supervised probation, along with a fine of $1,000 and court costs of $365.50. The court also ordered that Davis not drive at all during his period of probation.
Davis said he intended to appeal the court's decision.
The case, originally filed in Kosciusko Superior Court III, stemmed from a single motor vehicle crash, investigated by the Kosciusko County Fatal Alcohol Crash Team. The crash occurred on Old 30 near CR 350W in Kosciusko County March 2, 2010, in which then-34-year-old Davis was the driver. Davis’ passenger, 22-year-old Victoria Anderson, was killed when Davis drove off the roadway striking a tree. Toxicology reports later determined that Davis had a blood alcohol concentration of .25, as well as both marijuana and cocaine in his blood.
On Sept. 17, 2010, Davis filed a motion for change of venue from Kosciusko County. His motion was later granted and on Dec. 14 the matter was moved to Noble County Superior Court I.
Following various proceedings, including Davis’ motion to continue the trial and a motion to vacate an earlier trial setting, the matter proceeded to trial Oct. 4. On Oct. 7, the Noble County jury found Davis guilty of all counts.
