By Myrna Trauntvein
Times-News Correspondent
Rodney Steele, 34, Goshen, was sentenced to a term of 0-5
years in the state penitentiary after pleading guilty to
charges of automobile homicide in Fourth District Court in
Juab County.
"I recommend a prison term because Mr. Steele had a
blood alcohol level that far exceeded the legal level for
driving under the influence of alcohol," said David Leavitt,
county attorney.
He said Steele had a blood alcohol level of .15. The
blood alcohol level considered over the legal limit in the
state of Utah is .08 or over.
"Mr. Steele had his three young children and his wife
in the car at the time of the accident and was responsible
for the death of another person."
Attorney for Steele was Sheldon Carter, Provo.
Judge Ray Harding Sr. agreed with the recommendation
and sentenced Steele to prison on the charge of automobile
homicide. The prison sentence began immediately. Thursday
morning, following sentencing, Steele was taken into custody
and was transported to Utah State Prison facility at the
Point of the Mountain.
Steele pleaded guilty to the charge of automobile
homicide in the death of Bruce Limb, also a father of
several young children. Limb was killed in an accident which
took place on Sept. 4, 1999 on a road west of Eureka.
In that accident, Steele drove his vehicle through a
stop sign and struck the vehicle of Limb. He was not
arrested at the site because he was taken to a hospital. At
the facility, a blood alcohol test was made.
Steele was later summoned to court on the charges of
automobile homicide in the death of Limb.
Limb's wife, who was surrounded by a great many of the
couple's friends and family, was on-hand to make her
presence felt in the courtroom.
"It was very emotional," said Leavitt, "but I do not
think the presence of the group had any effect on the
outcome nor on the sentence imposed."
A contributing factor to his seeking the prison term
for Steele, said Leavitt, was that one of the conditions of
Steele's bail had been that he would not partake of alcohol.
"He violated the terms of that condition of bail and
consumed alcohol," said Leavitt.
Steele will serve the 0 to 5 year term with his
imprisonment being reviewed on a schedule set by the state
Board of Pardons.
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