AG: Plea Deal In Accident That Injured 7-Year Old Warwick Girl

NARRAGANSETT, RI—A Narragansett driver has pleaded no contest to charges he seriously injured a 7-year-old girl playing outside her house in Warwick last May, the state Attorney General's Office said Wednesday.

Anthony Sudduth, 48, was charged with driving under the influence (resulting in serious bodily injury) and driving to endanger (resulting in injury). According to court papers, he was speeding through a Warwick neighborhood on May 9 around 6 p.m. Haylee Molina was on her scooter and crossing the street when Sudduth went through a stop sign and struck her. He crashed through a fence and tried to run away when his car stopped. Bystanders held him until police arrived.

At the time of the accident, he was also on probation for a domestic offense.

Sudduth was sentenced to 15 years (with 11 years to serve and the remainder suspended with probation), the Attorney General's Office said. He has also lost his license for five years and will see professional counselors about alcohol abuse.

“Every single motor vehicle crash in which alcohol or drugs are a factor are one hundred percent avoidable. This defendant chose to get behind the wheel drunk, and as a result of his actions, nearly killed an innocent seven-year-old girl. Thankfully, with the care of great doctors and the love and support of family and friends, Haylee is on the long road to recovery,” said Attorney General Peter Kilmartin.

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