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Home --> Safety --> Injuries --> Deaths --> Matthew Odell Killed by Drunk Driver

Start Here Beginners Articles Countries Events Skaters Site Map Skating Styles Aggressive Artistic Fitness Ice Naked Hockey Recreation Skateboard Speed - [View More] Equipment Skates Wheels Bearings Protective Gear Helmets Maintenance Accessories - [ View More] Community Message Board Chat Room Newsletter Regional Countries Local Clubs Group Skates Skate Tours Media Books Magazines Movies Posters Video Clips Videos Video Games More Topics Beginners Deaths Health Issues History How to Skate Hydration Injuries Legal Issues Lessons Nutrition Organizations Police Skating Safety Sports Medicine Travel Web Sites Where to Skate - [View More] Site Map Quick Start Search	Matthew Odell Killed by Drunk Driver January 1999 in Washington DC A skater weas killed in Washington DC on January 28, 1999 when a drunk driver lost control of his car and slammed the skater into a tree. 18 year old Matthew Odell was killed in Washington DC On January 28, 1999 when he was hit by a drunk driver while he was skating in the street at night. The incident took place on Nebraska Avenue SW where Matthew was hit from behind by a Ford Ranger, slammed into a tree, thrown onto the hood of the car, and very quickly thrown off onto the ground. Driver Shane de Leon was charged with 2nd degree murder, because he had been drinking earlier that evening at a billiard hall, and he was allegedly driving faster than the 30 mph speed limit. During his trial an accident expert testified that "in such darkness that neither Shane S. DeLeon nor any other driver could have braked in time to avoid the skater on the night he was killed". The expert went on to say that "from the time his leg impacted the front bumper till he was off the hood was 1/4 second" De Leon pleaded guilty at first, but later he withdrew his guilty plea. The trial was controversial because there were charges of juror misconduct and an altercation with obsenities in the jury room. 10 of 12 were ready to convict for 2nd degree murder. 11 of the 12 jurors ended up changing their votes to the lighter charges of negligant homicide or involuntary manslaughter. On July 12, 2000 Shane de Leon was given a maximum sentence of 20 months to 2 years. Related Links Tragic Stories About Skaters Who Died Skating Injuries Skating Safety Official Skating Federations International Roller Sports Federation (FIRS) National Roller Skating Federations	Kathie Fry, Editor Join our friendly international skating community SkateLog Forum What I Saw Skating in Venice Beach 2007 Skating Wall Calendars Free SkateLog Business Cards Renate Groenewold + Other Dutch Skaters National Federations FIRS SKATERS by Country by Name by Birthday Photos Girl Skater Photo Gallery SKATE STOPPERS Are They Dangerous? CONNY'S NEW BUST LINE Photos of Lisa Suggitt Portraits Skating El Patinador Solitario of Havana makes his own skates. [ Read More ] A Belgian skater talks about her broken arm. [Read More] Tony Hawk Skating Cartoons from The New Yorker World War II Skating Messenger Girls FUN IN HOLLAND! I got painted orange in Heerenveen and almost arrested in Groningen)... My 92 year old skating buddy Subscribe to our Atom formatted Newsfeed Here's How
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