Guilty plea for man accused of driving drunk, injuring passenger

1129-kevin-grimesMedford, Ore. – A driver who stood accused of causing a crash that left his passenger paralyzed pleaded guilty in a Medford courtroom on Tuesday, according to the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office.

Judge Lorenzo Mejia sentenced Kevin Grimes to 70 months in prison and three years of post-prison supervision. Grimes pleaded guilty to second-degree assault and driving under the influence of intoxicants. He will not be eligible for an early release.

According to the D.A.’s office, Grimes’ license was revoked and he will be responsible for restitution.

The D.A.’s office said on January 1st of 2015, Grimes was driving a Toyota 4Runner while he was drunk. The vehicle crashed and rolled over in the area of Old Upton Road and Teresa Way in Central Point around 4:55 p.m.

In a press release, the D.A.’s office said Richard Salmon was a passenger at the time of the crash. He suffered spinal damage and is now paralyzed from the neck down.

Grimes’ blood alcohol level was .21. He was also on probation for DUII at the time of the crash.

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