Ridiculously Light Sentence for Fatal Virginia Drunk Driving Accident

A man who has been in prison for a Virginia drunk driving accident that claimed the life of a Woodbridge woman is expected to be released from prison in less than two months. The fatal accident occurred on Interstate 95 near Garrisonville in 2008 and caused the death of 29-year-old Rebecca Cohn.

According to reports, the accident occurred when Ms. Cohn’s Nissan Altima was struck from the right by a Jeep Cherokee driven by Michael Meisels, 33, of Dumfries. The force of the impact sent Ms. Cohn’s vehicle into a wooded area where it collided with some trees. Ms. Cohn was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident.

Mr. Meisels, who has been in prison for the past 13 months, pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and driving under the influence in Stafford County Circuit Court on Tuesday, March 8, 2011. As part of his plea agreement, he was sentenced to 11 years in prison. However, all but 15 months of his sentence were suspended.

Unfortunately, for those who are still mourning the untimely death of Ms. Cohn, the drunk driver will be released in less than two months. At the time of his release, Mr. Meisels will have served less than a year and a half for his role in the victim’s death.

It hardly seems fair that this man will go free in such a short time, when Ms. Cohn’s family will be faced with a lifetime of grief. This is a ridiculously light sentence for a fatal drunk driving accident.