Drunk Driver Receives Thirty-Two-Year Sentence for Son’s Death

After being convicted by prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s DUI Unit, a drunk driver who killed his son and critically injured his nephew was sentenced to thirty-two years in prison. In a trial last September, 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.

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. Steelman’s driver’s license was revoked at the time due to prior DUI offenses.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.””

At sentencing, Judge Steve Sword enhanced the sentence because Steelman has thirteen prior felony convictions. Prosecutors also put on proof 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.