ROCKVILLE, Md. (WUSA9) – The former Wootton High School student charged with killing two friends after driving under the influence was sentenced to 20 years in jail, 16 of which were suspended.
This means Sam Ellis will only serve four years in prison. He will be eligible for parole after serving two years of jail time, may be even months earlier.
Ellis pleaded guilty to two counts of vehicular manslaughter in April.
The crash happened on June 25 in the area of the 13800 block of Dufief Mill Road. Ellis was driving the car from an underage drinking party when the car crashed into a fence and then into a tree before overturning into a yard.
According to officials, speed and alcohol were both factors in the crash.
Murk and Li, both passengers in the back seat, were killed in the crash. A fourth teen, who was in the front passenger seat, also suffered serious injuries.
He did apologize in court, but after we learned that in recorded phone calls from jail, Ellis said If it wasn’t for this BS, he’d be partying at the beach right now.
In gut-wrenching, tearful testimony, Alex Murk's father told the judge all that his family had lost: a kind and respectful son who loved his family, his dog and the Red Sox.
Defendant Sam Ellis wiped away tears as Murk's mother Pam addressed him directly. "You have taken my worth, my energy, my pride and my confidence."
With Ellis nodding, she told him to "accept the consequences of your actions for once in your life.”
The teen who survived told police that Ellis mistakenly believed he could dodge a speed camera by driving faster and switching lanes.
The teens had just left an underage drinking party, where a parent was at home. That led to new legislation called Alex and Calvin’s law, which imposes tougher penalties on adults who knowingly host underage parties.
The Murks were pleased at all the conditions placed on Ellis. When he is released, he will have to do 500 hours of community service, including speaking at high schools, urging students not to make the life-changing mistakes he has.
Ellis will also have to refrain from drinking alcohol for five years and will be on supervised probation during that time. When he is able to drive again, his car will be equipped with an ignition interlock device.
