Man gets probation after pleads guilty to vehicular homicide
St. Clair County Judge Charles Robinson sentenced Blake Alan Brown, 24, of Pell City to 2 years in prison for the April 18, 2007, vehicular homicide of Rosea Mae Beavers, 57, of Cropwell. Robinson suspended the 2-year prison sentence and gave Brown three years supervised probation. Under Robinson’s order, Brown is also required to pay restitution in the amount of $1,250 to the Alabama Crime Victims Compensation Commission. Robinson also ordered Brown to have his work trailer inspected every six months by state officials. Beavers was killed when a trailer Brown was towing came loose from his vehicle and struck Beavers’ driver’s side door. The accident happened on U.S. 231, near CVS Pharmacy in Pell City. “They were disappointed,” said Matt Abbott, a Pell City attorney who represented the Beavers family in a civil case. “It was very emotional for them. They will accept the judge’s order and move forward.” Brown pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide in open court last month. Shortly after Brown pleaded guilty, St. Clair County Assistant District Attorney Lamar Williamson said Brown made an open plea in court, which means there was no agreement between the state and the defendant. “Our deepest sympathy goes out to the Beavers family and with their loss,” said Lyle Harmon, the defense attorney who represented Brown. “On behalf of Blake and his family, we hope that the healing process can begin. I can only imagine the grief and the struggle of the Beavers family. “In regards to the sentence, I certainly feel Judge Robinson struggled with what to do and the Brown family is grateful for the sentence that was imposed,” Harmon said. According to The Daily Home news account of the accident, Beavers had just turned out of the CVS parking lot in her Ford Focus, heading south on U.S. 231, when the trailer Brown was towing came lose from his vehicle, crossed the highway and struck her vehicle. A Lifesaver helicopter was called to the scene and landed at Avondale Park on U.S. 78, but Beavers died while being transported by ambulance to the landing site. “Mr. Brown’s irresponsible behavior resulted in the tragic and untimely death of Ms. Rosea Green Beavers,” District Attorney Richard Minor said Thursday. “The public needs to be aware that any reckless behavior on our roads and highways which result in serious injury or death can be prosecuted by the state of Alabama, as was done in this case. The judge’s sentence will never bring Ms. Rosea back to the family and friends who adored her, but perhaps it will help prevent another careless fatality.” |
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About David Atchison
| David Atchison is Pell City news editor for The Daily Home. |
Phone: E-mail: | 205-884-3400 news@dailyhome.com |