WASHINGTON — A D.C. man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after crashing his car and killing his 4-year-old son.
Charles Smith, 33, was convicted in July of motor vehicle manslaughter and other charges.
The judge issued the maximum sentence based on Smith’s continued use of drugs — including PCP — and the horrific nature of the crash.
In May 2013, Smith was swerving and speeding southbound on Bladensburg Road in Cottage City, Maryland. He turned into a northbound lane and struck two vehicles, nearly severing his arm.
His car jumped a curb on Bladensburg Road, hit two utility poles, a tree and a brick retaining wall.
His 4-year-old son — also named Charles — was not secured in a car seat and was ejected. He died of his injuries.
Smith’s daughter suffered a traumatic brain injury.
Smith also was ejected from the car and suffered life-threatening injuries.
Investigators determined he was speeding up to 88 mph at the time of the crash.
During closing arguments, the prosecution reiterated the extensive and gruesome injuries the 4-year-old received. The child’s brain matter was scattered all over the scene and during the crash, his leg was amputated while he was still alive.
Medical reports showed Smith had PCP in his system at the time of the crash, but the jury found him not guilty of that charge.
While Smith was awaiting trial, he was arrested and charged for being under the influence of PCP.
“While we do understand that Mr. Smith has an addiction problem, this is someone who, because of this addiction, killed his child. And injured another child whose life will never be the same and the entire family’s life will never be the same because of what he did,” says John Erzen, spokesman for Prince George’s County State’s Attorney’s Office.
“Even causing that crash that took the life of his son did not cause him to get help. And then he had the audacity to come into court today and lie about trying to get help after the accident that killed his son.”
The prosecution also noted Smith’s statements to investigators and medical professionals were incorrect.
Smith cried in the courtroom as family members and friends spoke on his behalf. More than two dozen people packed the courtroom to support him.
But the mother of the 4-year-old child who was killed told the court Smith deserved the maximum sentence. She says her daughter will have lifelong injuries. Smith told the judge he is remorseful and every day he lives with the knowledge that he killed his son.
“No matter what happened here today, we can’t bring little Charles back. We can get justice for the person responsible for ending his life,” Erzen says. “[Smith] deserves every day of the 10 year sentence that he received today.”
Editor’s note: A previous version of the story incorrectly said Charles Smith is from Prince George’s County.
