Drunk Driver Convicted of Son’s Death
Prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s DUI Unit obtained multiple convictions today against a drunk driver who killed his son and critically injured his nephew. Steven Dare Steelman, Jr., 35, was convicted of Aggravated Vehicular Homicide, Vehicular Assault, Reckless Endangerment, Driving Under the Influence Third Offense, Driving on a Revoked License, and Failure to Provide Evidence of Financial Responsibility. After the jury returned their verdict, Judge Steve Sword revoked Steelman’s bond and set the case for sentencing on October 27.
At trial, Assistant District Attorneys Joe Welker and Greg Eshbaugh explained to the jury that around noon on November 23, 2014, Steelman was driving with his son and nephew on West Beaver Creek Drive when he lost control of his vehicle and struck a utility pole and a tree. The impact of the crash killed Steelman’s ten-year-old son and broke three vertebrae of his eleven-year-old nephew’s spine. Steelman failed field sobriety tests and admitted drinking approximately one half quart of moonshine the night before. Forensic analysis of his blood revealed that he had a blood alcohol content of 0.144, nearly twice the legal limit of 0.08. He also had marijuana in his system. Steelman’s driver’s license was revoked at the time due to prior DUI offenses.
“”My Office aggressively prosecutes DUI cases to try to deter impaired driving because it so often leads to fatal consequences,”” said DA Charme Allen.””Unfortunately, previous trips to prison did not deter Mr. Steelman’s criminal conduct and a child’s life was cut short.””
Aggravated Vehicular Homicide is a Class A felony. Because Steelman has thirteen prior felony convictions, he is facing between twenty-five and forty years in prison. At sentencing, prosecutors will seek an enhanced sentence due to the nature of the offense, the Defendant’s prior criminal history, and the fact that Steelman is classified by the Knox County Sheriff’s Office as a member of the Aryan Brotherhood.
If you have any questions, please contact Sean McDermott at 865-215-2515 or Sean.McDermott@knoxcounty.org. For more information about the District Attorney’s Office, visit our website at dag.knoxcountytn.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.