FATAL WRECK LEADS TO 10-YEAR PRISON SENTENCE FOR INMAN MAN

A Spartanburg County man received a 10-year prison sentence today for his role in a wreck that claimed the life of a local person and injured a second motorist.

James Shawn Thomas, 20, of Inman, pleaded guilty to felony driving under the influence with a death, felony driving under the influence with great bodily injury. He also pleaded guilty to an aggravated assault & battery that occurred prior to the wreck.

The wreck occurred about 4:15 p.m. on Nov. 15, 2004 at the intersection of Bullman Street and Highway 11. Justin “Bo” Miller, 18, of Inman, died as a result of injuries sustained in the wreck.

Investigators with the Highway Patrol and the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office determined that Thomas and Miller were fleeing from the scene of the assault when their car pulled into the path of a van driven by Douglas Guthrie, 39, of Inman. Miller, a passenger in Thomas’ car, died as a result of internal injuries. Guthrie’s injuries weren’t considered life threatening.

Lab tests revealed that Thomas had marijuana in his blood at the time of the wreck.

Thomas will serve 85 percent of the prison sentence before he is eligible for release.