Driver Pleads Guilty To Doctor's Hit And Run Death
MIAMI-- (CBS4) -- A South Florida man accused of driving drunk when he struck and killed a prominent Broward doctor pleaded guilty in court Thursday morning.
Richard Doval, 42, will serve six years in state prison, followed by two years of house arrest and 15 years probation, under the terms of his plea agreement. He is charged with one count of DUI, DUI manslaughter and leaving the scene of an accident involving a fatality. Doval also had his driver's license revoked for the rest of his life.
Dr. Robert Geronemus, a prominent doctor specializing in kidney disease, was killed on January 24, 2009 after attending a medical conference. Geronemus had finished dining with colleagues at Capital Grille at 444 Brickell Avenue and was walking back to the Mandarin Oriental hotel with three other colleagues, Miami police said. That's when Doval who was driving a truck, struck Geronemus as he crossed the street. Three of the other doctors were able to cross safely.
Family members were in court Thursday morning, including Geronemus' widow Laurie and oldest daughter Heather. Both spoke in open court and expressed their grief. They described Geronemus as a loving father and husband who "never failed those he loved."
The family also had strong words for Doval and described his actions as "disgusting."
Reading from a folded note he had in his pocket, Doval said he was sorry for his actions and "sorry for your loss."
