Richard Shane Plowden was sentenced to 35 years in prison after pleading guilty to four counts of felony DUI resulting in death and driving under suspension, according to the Thirteenth Circuit Solicitor's Office. Elizabeth Gary prosecuted the case.
The crash occurred on Sept. 11, 2020 on Highway 14 near Cannon Road and the Lake View Steakhouse.
Plowden crossed the center line, driving completely into the westbound lane, assistant solicitor Elizabeth Gary said.
Plowden hit a red Saturn Vue head-on killing all four passengers instantly. They died of blunt force trauma according to the
William and Marsha Norman, 92 and 83 years old, and Michael and Nancy Cook, 83 and 80 years old were killed.
Plowden’s blood at the time of the accident showed he was under the influence of a combination of methamphetamine, a stimulant, and three central nervous system depressants: Ambien, Oxycodone and Nordiazepam.
Gary presented evidence that the combination of those drugs would have rendered Plowden “materially and appreciably impaired and unable to safely or properly operate a motor vehicle.”
Plowden’s license was suspended in 2016 and had not been reinstated.