Sentencing for a former Laramie taxi driver who allegedly drove drunk and caused over $100,000 in medical damages to a passenger ended on Monday with the driver receiving six to nine years in prison.
James Rollman, 63, has three prior drunk driving charges in the past ten years, and he pleaded guilty to driving under the influence resulting in serious bodily harm in April.
At Rollman’s arraignment in April he described the victim, who sustained a neck injury in the accident, as his friend.
“You were drunk with a paying passenger and the only reason he’s not dead is because you’re just dumb lucky,” District Judge Jeffrey Donnell said. “And I will not have you loose on the streets.”
According to a police affidavit, the van Rollman allegedly drove while intoxicated was going faster than the 30 miles per hour speed limit, and drove into a barrier protection pole, where the van’s front right wheel assembly was torn off. The van rolled onto its top and ended back on its remaining three wheels 18 feet from the barrier pole. When Rollman’s blood was collected, tests revealed that he had a .09 blood alcohol concentration.
Rollman told Donnell in his arraignment he was ready to face his charges and plead guilty.
“I have been praying about it and I’m here to face the charges,” Rollman said. “And the good Lord told me to speak the truth today.”
In the arraignment hearing, Donnell revoked the original $20,000 cash bond. Along with six to nine years imprisonment, Rollman must also pay the victim $56,292.82 in restitution.
