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Posted: February 11, 2009

Man gets probation for fatal U.S. 401 wreck

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Louisburg, N.C. — A Franklin County man was placed on probation Tuesday after pleading guilty to causing a wreck last summer that killed a local couple.

Louis Mahler Joyner, 22, of Louisburg, pleaded guilty to two counts of misdemeanor death by motor vehicle. He was sentenced to two years on probation, and his driver's license was revoked for two years.

Joyner's 2005 Chevrolet Colorado pickup truck crossed the center lane on U.S. Highway 401 about five miles south of Louisburg and collided head-on with a 1998 Corvette on June 26, authorities said.

The Corvette's passengers, James Preston Holmes, 65, and Mary Charles Holmes, 65, of Louisburg, were killed in the wreck.

The Holmeses' daughter, Marbeth Holmes, has called for tougher penalties for people charged in fatal wrecks, such as an immediate suspension of driving privileges after charges are filed.

RELATED TOPICS: Franklin County

13 Comments

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Latest Comments

How short our memories are....... There was no cell phone or alcohol involved. I know both of these families. Jimmy and Mary Charles were fine, fine people- and Mahler is a great young man. In this case, the punishment fits the charges. I too have lost loved ones to tradegy.

Mrfeelgood
February 12, 2009 7:59 a.m.

kellyaustin96 - when a drunk driver registers above the limit on a breath test, their license is immediately suspended for a period of time upon being charged (their due process rights are not being denied to them), so why not suspend a person's license when they are charged with killing someone with their car? People forget that driving is a privilege regulated by the state, not a right.

uncommonsense
February 11, 2009 5:06 p.m.

as tragic as it is.. you cant send someone to jail every time someone dies in an accident. i think, if it was a pure accident, this situation in the article works fine. if there was any negligence, jail time is a must, or at least some hefty fines...

any1butcarolina0405
February 11, 2009 4:20 p.m.

Just because someone has a revoked or suspended license doesn't mean they won't drive anyway. Same for insurance, just because you are required to have it doesn't mean everyone does. My young cousin and 2 of her friends burn to death when they were hit by a drunk drive on a revoke license. A drunk driver who I might add had 8 convictions against for driving drunk.

My heart goes out to the family for their loss.

cold hands warm heart
February 11, 2009 3:16 p.m.

there are at least 3 ways in this state that you can kill someone and get little or no punishment: 1-kill them with your car (by far the easiest), 2-pharmacist/doctor giving wrong drugs, 3-hunting 'accident'

LocalYokel
February 11, 2009 3:02 p.m.

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