Deadly DUI crash in Beach lands driver in prison

VIRGINA BEACH

Clyde D. Covington Jr. was the responsible one to his family and friends, a rising star to his co-workers and supervisors at Stihl Inc.

All that made it even harder to believe, they said Monday in Circuit Court, that Covington had been driving drunk on May 4. He crashed into another car at Lynnhaven Parkway and Rosemont Road, killing the other driver, Jane Gardner, 39, of Virginia Beach.

After the crash, Covington registered a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.09, just above the legal limit for driving of 0.08. He had drunk three beers while at dinner with friends before the crash, according to defense attorney John Fletcher.

Covington, who pleaded guilty Sept. 29 to aggravated involuntary manslaughter, driving under the influence and failing to comply with a traffic signal, was sentenced Monday to serve five years and one month in prison and pay $600 in fines.

Covington, 30, of Virginia Beach wiped away tears as Gardner's relatives testified that they had forgiven him, and as his own friends and family testified on his behalf that he was a good man who made a poor decision. Covington took the witness stand and apologized to Gardner's family.

After receiving his sentence, Covington was handcuffed in front of his parents and led from the courtroom.

Shawn Day, (757) 222-5131, shawn.day@pilotonline.com