The man who had pleaded guilty to DUI manslaughter stemming from a crash near Tampa, Florida, on Christmas Day in 2007, now denies causing the crash that killed three of the four people in the vehicle he hit.
David Belniak has sued the estate of Ray McWilliams, the now deceased driver of the other vehicle, for more than $15,000, saying it was actually McWilliams who caused the crash by abruptly changing lanes, according to the local newspaper.
McWilliams initially survived the crash but died later. Belniak was sentenced to 12 years in prison, where he remains. The money is to compensate Belniak for medical bills, pain and suffering and loss of capacity for enjoyment of life, according to the lawsuit.
The newspaper reported that Belniak's attorney, Debra A. Tuomey, who is also his sister, said the government's prosecution amounted to a character assassination and Belniak accepted a plea deal only to avoid risking getting a life sentence at trial.
