Suspended Sentence For Man That Killed Elderly Couple In Wreck

May 22, 2011

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A Brewton man has received a suspended sentence in connection with a 2007 crash that killed an elderly Atmore couple.

hauermug.jpgGeorge Hauer, 63, received a one-year suspended sentence in Baldwin County Circuit Court, along with two years probation and was also permanently banned from driving in Alabama.

In the March 20, 2007, wreck, Dwight Eugene Nichols, 74, and his wife Wilma Ellavan Nichols, 77, of Atmore were traveling south in a Mercedes E320 on Highway 31 near Perdido, when they collided with a northbound sports utility vehicle driven by Hauer, according to Alabama State Troopers. Both Nichols died a short time later at an area hospital. Hauer was charged with two counts of vehicular homicide and two counts of manslaughter in connection with that accident. Hauer later pleaded guilty to criminally negligent homicide in connection with the crash.

Hauer was involved in another accident that injured a family of four on March 22, 2009, on Highway 31 east of Flomaton. At the time of the accident, he had been out on a $300,000 bond for only about two weeks after being charged with the death of the elderly Atmore couple.

No charges were ever filed in the Flomaton crash.

The 2009 accident happened on Highway 31 at Old Fannie Road. Officials say the car, driven by David Smith of Flomaton collided with a truck driven by Hauer. Smith was transported to Baptist Hospital by ambulance were he was treated for a broken jaw. Hauer was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital by LifeFlight in serious condition but was soon released from the hospital.

Leigh Smith, a passenger in the car hit by Hauer, was transported by LifeFlight to Baptist Hospital in critical condition. Another passenger in the car, Samantha Bryant, then 0a senior at Flomaton High School, was transported to Baptist Hospital in Pensacola with non life threatening injuries. Passenger Curtis Byrant refused treatment the scene. Leigh Smith was hospitalized for a lengthy time with broken ribs, a broken shoulder and a broken knee.

Click here for more photos.

Pictured top: The Smith family vehicle that was involved in a 2009 accident  with George Wesley Hauer. Pictured below: Hauer’s truck. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.

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Comments

9 Responses to “Suspended Sentence For Man That Killed Elderly Couple In Wreck”

  1. Samantha Bryant on May 25th, 2011 12:43 am

    Thank you, GOD, for being with us on that day! Glory to HIM that my mama is still here! Our family gave this to GOD and while each day is still hard and we have been through a lot, life goes on and we are not letting it get us down! Thank you for all the prayers! It is also because of GOD that my mama can walk again! Thank to everyone, again for prayers, calls, etc. There are so many that helped us through this hard time..you all know who you are but will never know how much we truly appreciate it! Love you all! :)

  2. 429SCJ on May 24th, 2011 7:08 am

    I think 10yrs hoeing butter beans at the state farm in that hot Alabama sun would help this gentleman. Dont spare the blackjack!

  3. OMRBH on May 23rd, 2011 11:31 pm

    The wishes of the Smith family have some bearing on charges not being brought in the Mar 22 2009 Flomaton crash, but the deceased husband and wife Nichols could not make their wishes known. Shame. Perhaps Hauer will have nightmares about this as long as he lives.

  4. Jules on May 23rd, 2011 9:17 pm

    How many lives do you destroy/hurt and break the law while doing it and able to walk the streets with the ones you have hurt? Who is to say he won’t drive again? He had already shown he don’t respect the decisions the court’s give him.

  5. molino jim on May 23rd, 2011 8:11 pm

    How do you know he will not be driving again? I do not understand a “walk” on this case. Two dead from one wreck—four who will be hurting for years—and he gets a slap on the wrist. A court order to not drive is hard to enforce. I do not recall the two wrecks and what happen–but one has to wonder if he is sleeping with the judge.

  6. Curtis Bryant on May 23rd, 2011 6:01 pm

    I still remember that day to well….I am glad to see he will no longer be driving. Maybe it will spare families of the despair that seems to follow when that…person…gets behind a wheel

  7. kellie on May 23rd, 2011 5:15 pm

    The Smith still deal with this accident. I don’t think its right but I wouldn’t want his family to feel the pain ours has felt. The Smiths are my family and have been through so much. I am so proud of the things they have overcome due to this accident.

  8. gavin on May 23rd, 2011 3:13 pm

    Its a shame how a man like that can mess up so many familys lives and get away with it for so long. Mr. Smith, sam, and mrs. leigh i wish yall the best!

    gav

  9. alex on May 23rd, 2011 9:29 am

    I love you Grandaddy im glad your still here with me