Guilty of DUI in fiery crash that caused girlfriend’s death, South MS man headed to prison
A Vancleave man who was legally drunk when he caused a fiery crash that resulted in the death of a girlfriend is headed to prison for 22 years.
Jackson County Judge Kathy King Jackson on Friday sentenced Michael Earl Grimes, 36, to 25 years in prison, suspending three years and leaving 22 years for him to serve, and three years of post-release supervision, for felony DUI resulting in the death of Christine Osborne.
The crash happened after Jackson County sheriff’s deputies got a call about Grimes allegedly assaulting Osborne on Old Fort Bayou Road around 9:15 p.m. on Nov. 12, 2022.
Before deputies got to the scene, Grimes sped off, but lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a ditch, where the car burst into flames.
According to authorities, some “good Samaritans” who happened to be passing by stopped and pulled Grimes from the fiery crash, but were unable to get to Osborne in time to save her.
After the crash, a blood test showed Grimes’ blood-alcohol content was more than twice the legal limit in Mississippi, Jackson County Assistant District Attorney Nick Mobley said.
Mobley prosecuted the case.
“Christine Osborne would still be alive today, but for the defendant’s reckless decision to drive drunk,” District Attorney Angel Myers McIlrath said in a release. “During the sentencing hearing, the Court heard that Christine was a loving mother, daughter, and friend to many.
“We want to thank the good Samaritan citizens who made every effort to save her life. I hope that this conviction and sentence will help Christine’s grieving family as they mourn her loss.”
