LOCAL MAN RECEIVES 8½ YEAR PRISON SENTENCE FOR ALCOHOL-RELATED TRAFFIC FATALITY

A Spartanburg man received an 8½-year prison sentence today after he took responsibility for an alcohol-related traffic fatality.

David Daniel Emon, 26, of 105 Burgundy Lane, pleaded guilty to felony driving under the influence with a death before Circuit Judge Mark Hayes.

The Jan. 11, 2004 wreck claimed the life of Allen W. Kimpton, 66, of Tryon, NC. Emon was traveling west on Highway 176 when he crossed the centerline and struck a 1981 Chevrolet station wagon driven by Kimpton. Emon’s 1995 Chevrolet Tahoe struck the front left corner of Kimpton’s car and heavily damaged the driver’s side of the vehicle. A medical helicopter flew Kimpton to Spartanburg Regional Medical Center. The long-time North Carolina resident died there as a result of head trauma.

The wreck occurred about 6:15 p.m. near the North Carolina state line. Kimpton left home minutes before the wreck to run a quick errand at a Landrum retailer.

Lab tests showed that Emon’s blood-alcohol reading was .136. He also had an anti-depressant in his system.

The guilty plea marked Emon’s second conviction for driving under the influence in a three-year period.

Emon will serve 85 percent of the prison sentence before he is eligible for release. Kimpton’s widow, Joyce, and long-time family friend, Jerry Barnette, spoke during the guilty plea. They told Judge Hayes they considered Allen to be a loving father and a dedicated community servant.

“This case is a good example on the consequences of poor decision making,” Principal Deputy Solicitor Barry Barnette said. “Mr. Emon ruined his life for the foreseeable future and he caused unmeasureable grief for the Kimpton family.”