Drunk driver sentenced to 10-30 years in young couple's death

(WJBK) - A drunk driver who killed a young Detroit couple in a deadly crash was sentenced to a minimum of 10 years in prison Tuesday.

Robert Chaney, 37, of Southfield was charged with second-degree murder in a high speed crash that killed 21-year-old Angel Careathers and 20-year-old Zachary Garrison. Crystal Careathers and Zachary's sister, Messiah, were both injured in the crash but survived, as well as their dog.

Police say on April 13, 2017, Chaney was speeding down Pickford when he lost control of his Camaro, going airborne before crashing into a Malibu.

Chaney was sentenced Tuesday to a minimum of 10 years and a maximum of 30 years on two counts of second-degree murder, and a minimum of 10 years and a maximum of 15 years for two counts of operating while intoxicated causing death.

On two counts of operating while intoxicated causing serious injury, for injuries to Crystal and Messiah, he was sentenced to a minimum of 3 years and a maximum of 5 years. Sentences will run consecutively.

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"Do you know what you took my life from me? That every day I wake up feeling like this was a dream?" Zachary's mother said in court Tuesday.

She says through all this, Chaney still has never shown remorse for what he did. Next was Angel's mom, who asked the judge to give him the maximum sentence.

"It hurts that he sits and looks smug every time we're in (court)," she said.

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And her brother, breaking down in tears in court: "I could feel her last breath leaving her body that day."

Just before the judge handed down his sentence, defense addressed how the victims' families may have perceived him as smug. The attorney says he insisted Chaney be distant and quiet during the proceedings, but having been around the defendant, says Chaney is "extremely remorseful."

And when Chaney had the opportunity himself to speak: "I just feel terrible about what happened. ... I hope they can find peace and joy in their hearts because I took it away from them," he said.

Wayne Circuit Court Judge Shannon Walker then handed down her sentence of at least 10 years.

"You must live the rest of your life with the fact that you caused the dreams of these two young individuals to be cut short," she said.