Sentencing in fatal drunk driving case
OTTAWA COUNTY, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) – Monday saw an emotional day in court as the suspect in a deadly drunk driving case learned his sentence and faced his victim's family.
Kevin Babcock had earlier pleaded no contest to several charges, including second degree murder and driving while intoxicated causing death.
In June, 19-year-old Curtis Jacobs died after Babcock ran a red light near Holland, hitting Curtis and another teen as they rode their bikes.
In court, Curtis' mother talked about the bass guitar and train set her son was building at home. Both those projects now sit unfinished because of a drunk driver who did not have insurance or a license.
"I'll never been the same person that I was on June 26th," said Lynne Jacobs, Curtis' mother.
Curtis was 19 on that day, on the dean's list in his first year at GVSU and training for a bicycle mission trip.
"I still don't remember how I got behind the wheel, but I know that's no excuse," said Babcock.
Babcock had no insurance and no license when he ran a red light and struck both Curtis and one of his friends.
"Someone snuffed out his life," said Mark Jacobs, Curtis' father, "selfish enough to enjoy 20 drinks of alcohol the night before."
Babcock had four previous drunk driving convictions before the crash that killed Curtis. On Monday, during the sentencing for his fifth drunk driving conviction, he had to listen to his victim's parents.
"At the minimum, it's good to know someone of your nature is off the roads for a long, long time," said Mark.
"Curtis is in Heaven right now, and that's the one thing that keeps us going," said Lynne.
When Babcock had a chance to speak, he was apologetic.
"There's nothing I can do, and nothing I can say," said Babcock. "I know I have caused to your family great anguish, great devastation. I am truly sorry."
Babcock was sentenced to a minimum of 20 years in prison.
"May God go with you in prison and our prayers will always be with you," said Lynne.
In court, Lynne Jacobs offered the man who killed her son one of his bibles. Afterwards she said the she hoped Babcock's decision to accept the bible was, like his apology, sincere.
"I mean it, Curtis would want him in Heaven with him one day, he really would, because that's what it's all about," said Lynne.
While Babcock was sentenced to a minimum of 20 years in prison, he could serve up to 45 years.
On Monday the judge asked Babcock how the State of Michigan could keep repeat drunk drivers off the road. Babcock told the court that he did not know.
