James Michael Karnes, 47, of Festus recently was sentenced to 14 years in prison for driving while intoxicated and causing a head-on accident that left six members of a Pevely family hurt, according to court documents.
On Oct. 2, 2013, Karnes was driving drunk on Abbey Lane in Pevely, crossed the center line and crashed into a vehicle driven by Vernon Gerdel, the report said.
Gerdel was seriously hurt, as was his wife, Amy. In addition, their four children – Kasey Kroeck, Maelina Gerdel, Madaline Gerdel and Kyle Kroeck – were injured, according to the report.
The family was returning from the grocery store to their home in the Tiara at the Abbey subdivision when Karnes struck their vehicle, according to previous reports about the accident.
Karnes pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree assault - operating a vehicle while intoxicated resulting in injury, and on Aug. 31, 2015, Jefferson County Div. 1 Circuit Judge Robert G. Wilkins sentenced him to two seven-year terms, one for each of the charges. The two terms are to be served consecutively, for a total of 14 years. However, Karnes may be released early if he successfully completes a one-year treatment program, court papers show.
Jefferson County assistant prosecuting attorney Thomas E. Hollingsworth handled the case.
Karnes currently is in the Ozark Correctional Center.