FRANKLIN COUNTY, MO (FOX2now.com) -
Last Thursday night in Franklin County, two suspected drunk drivers, one a teenager, crash into a third car killing the driver. Now, charges are being considered in the case and the family of the innocent driver who was killed is speaking out. Michael Prater, 33, a married father of two from St. Charles was driving a blue Chevy when police say he was hit and killed by two drunk drivers.
Scott Sherman, the attorney for Prater's family, says, "It's incredible that not one but two people now to act that irresponsibly have taken away somebody's dad and somebody's husband."
The tragic crash happened last Thursday night on route 100 near Jones Lane just outside of Washington, Missouri. Investigators say Prater was West on 100 when a Pontiac heading East on 100 crossed the center line and hit Prater's Chevy. The impact sent Prater's car spinning- it was then hit by a pick-up truck which was also East on 100. Prater was pronounced dead at the scene.
A 17 year old girl from Washington was driving the Pontiac. Behind the wheel of the truck, a 36 year old Fenton man. Both were arrested at the scene for DWI. Neither was seriously hurt.
"Here you got a poor, an individual minding his own business and struck by two people that we arrested for DWI. It's a tragedy," explained Sergeant Al Nothum with the Missouri Highway Patrol.
Both suspected drunk drivers have been released pending the investigation. Nothum tells us the case will be presented to the Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney- charges could include DWI and manslaughter. The Prater family says they may pursue a wrongful death suit as well.
"The Prater family is going to be there doing everything they can to get justice for Mike and for his memory," said Sherman.
Nothum added, "The message is we don't care what you drink, we don't care how much you drink, but do not get behind the wheel."
The 36 year old driver has a history of DWI issues. Officials tell us in 1997, his license was suspended for DWI. And just this past April, he refused to submit to blood alcohol testing after a stop. When the crash happened, the 36 year old had only limited driving privileges for things like work. Investigators say he was coming from a bar when he hit Prater.
The 17 year old was coming from a party.
Scott Sherman, the attorney for Prater's family, says, "It's incredible that not one but two people now to act that irresponsibly have taken away somebody's dad and somebody's husband."
The tragic crash happened last Thursday night on route 100 near Jones Lane just outside of Washington, Missouri. Investigators say Prater was West on 100 when a Pontiac heading East on 100 crossed the center line and hit Prater's Chevy. The impact sent Prater's car spinning- it was then hit by a pick-up truck which was also East on 100. Prater was pronounced dead at the scene.
A 17 year old girl from Washington was driving the Pontiac. Behind the wheel of the truck, a 36 year old Fenton man. Both were arrested at the scene for DWI. Neither was seriously hurt.
"Here you got a poor, an individual minding his own business and struck by two people that we arrested for DWI. It's a tragedy," explained Sergeant Al Nothum with the Missouri Highway Patrol.
Both suspected drunk drivers have been released pending the investigation. Nothum tells us the case will be presented to the Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney- charges could include DWI and manslaughter. The Prater family says they may pursue a wrongful death suit as well.
"The Prater family is going to be there doing everything they can to get justice for Mike and for his memory," said Sherman.
Nothum added, "The message is we don't care what you drink, we don't care how much you drink, but do not get behind the wheel."
The 36 year old driver has a history of DWI issues. Officials tell us in 1997, his license was suspended for DWI. And just this past April, he refused to submit to blood alcohol testing after a stop. When the crash happened, the 36 year old had only limited driving privileges for things like work. Investigators say he was coming from a bar when he hit Prater.
The 17 year old was coming from a party.
