Drunk Driver Sues Deceased Victim

A man who pleaded guilty to three counts of DUI manslaughter in Florida has filed a lawsuit against the now deceased driver of the other vehicle involved in the crash, court documents show.

David Belniak entered a guilty plea to criminal charges over an accident on Christmas Day in 2007, in which he crashed his pickup truck into the back of another vehicle, killing 66-year-old Linda McWilliams, her 50-year-old daughter, Denise Bassi, and her 51-year-old son-in-law, Gerard Bassi.

Belniak, who was sentenced to 12 years in prison over the deaths, has filed suit against McWilliams’ husband, Ray McWilliams – the driver of the other vehicle – claiming the now deceased accident victim was at fault for causing the crash. Ray McWilliams survived the crash, but died last March.

The police report showed that Belniak was speeding, driving at anywhere from 75 to 85 mph when his truck slammed into the back of McWilliams’ Chevrolet Tahoe, which was stopped at a red light. Testing of Belniak’s blood revealed the presence of alcohol, Xanax and trace amounts of cocaine in his system.

Belniak is seeking compensation for his the medical bills, pain and suffering, mental anguish and diminished capacity to enjoy life after the crash.