Victim's Family Faces DUI Suspect in Court - Erika Kurre

The family of a three year old boy killed in a DUI crash Saturday faced the suspect today in court.

Darius Buchanon's aunt says it's devastating seeing Percy Thompson for the first time since that day.

Shuffling into court, 23-year old Thompson shows little emotion.

It's hard for the Buchanon family to watch.

Darius' aunt Patrice Buchanon says, "It's indescribable. My sister is so hurt right now."

A Halloween day crash on brick church pike claimed the life of the three year old boy.

He was riding in this Ford Taurus headed southbound when officers say Thompson crossed the center line in this Lexus and collided with the Buchanon's.

Witness Britni says, "And then I saw what appeared to be a child laying in the middle of the road."

Witnesses from that day recall the details on the witness stand.

Officers say Thompson's blood alcohol level was at .23 -- nearly three times the legal limit at the time of the crash.

It's a wreck the Buchanon family believes shouldn't have happened.

Patrice says, "It is the worst thing you can do-- even if it's alcohol, drugs, whatever-- you just don't do it."

This is the third life taken in the midstate by alleged drunk driving in a little more than a week.

And it's not Thompsons first offense.

He's been charged with 59 crimes in the past eight years and had been in jail the day before the crash.

The Buchanon's are devastated.

Patrice says, "To hear him-- he'll never be able to grow and it's just not fair. We don't feel it's fair."

Darius' aunt Patrice says her nephew was so little, full of love and adored superheroes.

And though young, he made a difference:

Patrice says, "Darius came at a time when our family was going through so much and he just brought everybody back to life. And I believe that was his purpose at that time and he did fulfill his purpose. He brought a lot of love into our family."

Thompson is charged with vehicular homicide, evading arrest and leaving the scene of an accident involving a death.

All those charges are now in the hands of a metro grand jury.

Thompson is being held on 115-thousand dollars bond.Victim's Family Faces DUI Suspect in Court - Erika Kurre

Posted: Thursday, November 5 2009, 03:21 PM CST