A Houston Fire Department captain was sentenced Monday afternoon after pleading guilty to driving while intoxicated and causing a serious accident, KPRC Local 2 reported.
Investigators said Cary John Stallings, 41, was drunk on Jan. 10, 2004, when he hit another vehicle head-on. The driver of the other vehicle, Bill Sargent, 25, was hospitalized with serious injuries.
Stallings received a $2,000 fine, 30 days in jail, three years of probation, and community service, including speaking to Alief Independent School District students about the consequences of DWI.
"This is a powerful message. This is an opportunity for them to hear from someone who can tell them, 'This is what will happen,' and talk to them about the dangers," said Susan Castro, with Alief ISD.
"Speaking in school -- we think that's good for Mr. Stallings. He does this all the time," defense lawyer Donald Backston said.
Stallings has a long and distinguished career of public service as a firefighter. But his victim's family hopes he can save even more lives with his words.
"I would not wish this on my worst enemy," the victim's sister said as she addressed Stallings in court. "If it was left up to my parents and my sisters, you would be standing trial for a felony."
Sargent has a rod in his leg and needs two more surgeries.
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