College Student Gets Prison For DUI

November 23, 2017

William Joseph Shoffner of Newport, Arkansas, was sentenced by Circuit Court Judge Jan Shackelford to serve 7 years in state prison followed by 5 years of probation for DUI Manslaughter. Four years are to be served as a mandatory minimum sentence.
William Shoffner, a 21-year- old college student from Arkansas, traveled to Perdido Beach for spring break. On March 20th, 2016, while operating a 2015 Honda Civic, Shoffner caused a head-on collision on the Theo Baars Bridge between Pensacola and Perdido Key by drifting into the opposite lane. The driver of the vehicle Shoffner struck died on scene. William Shoffner received grave injuries in the crash.  Shoffner had a blood alcohol level of .177 g/100 mL, more than twice the legal limit.

William Shoffner accepted responsibility by pleading to the charge of DUI Manslaughter.

Shoffner’s defense attorney, Gregory Whibbs, argued Shoffner was a young man who had no prior record, no prior history of driving under the influence, or any risk of reoffending due to the severe consequences of the crash. William Shoffner will endure compromised health for the rest of his life. During the hearing, William Shoffner offered a tearful apology to the widowed spouse and family of the deceased victim.
Shackelford, in balancing the mitigating circumstances of William Shoffner’s offense with the loss of life resulting from his actions, sentenced him to seven years in prison and five years of probation as punishment for the crime. Shackelford said  that these consequences for driving under the influence should serve as a warning to the community.

Comments

5 Responses to “College Student Gets Prison For DUI”

  1. Fort Smith on August 14th, 2019 9:35 am

    I went to school with him, he was a chill guy, never got in any trouble he was mom and dads little boy, at least they treated him like it, i never hung out with him, he was in the “CROWD” of rich people who thought they where all that….now i look at my life and his, i own a business and make bank , he followed the crowd led him to bad decisions, and his mom claims he’s innocent, he killed a man with his car while drunk af, and his mom still saying he didnt do it, i think he deserves the jail time, he should do the time for his crime.

  2. Duke of Wawbeek on November 24th, 2017 4:29 am

    DOC must provide him with kosher meals!

  3. No Excuses on November 23rd, 2017 2:35 pm

    The saying, “It’s a pity youth is wasted on the young” comes to mind here. I bet if he had a crystal ball and knew what was going to happen, he’d have never touched a drop. Young people don’t realize what a tragedy drugs and alcohol can be when used at the wrong time or inappropriately. Prayers to the family of the deceased and to William and his family.

  4. paul on November 23rd, 2017 1:05 pm

    That’s getting off easy. I thought 20yrs was norm for a DUI death..

  5. Chris on November 23rd, 2017 4:10 am

    Good.
    Should of been longer

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News