FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 16, 2007

State Attorney Steve Meadows announces the plea and sentencing, to 13 years in prison, in Bay County Circuit Court, of Ronald Gary Finch on charges of DUI Manslaughter and Driving While License Suspended or Revoked.

Finch, WM, DOB: 3-19-1959, 1958 Bosie Circle, Chipley, pleaded to the charges in connection with the June 6, 2007, death of Glenn R. Roy. Finch was driving a 1997 Dodge van about 10:25 p.m., when he drove head-on into the northbound lanes of Highway 77, near the intersection of Lake Merial Boulevard, and struck a van driven by Roy. Roy an employee of the Panama City Beach Post Office, was traveling from church to his home at the time of the collision.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement laboratory reported that Finch’s blood alcohol level was .331. The illegal limit is 0.08.

Finch had twice previously been convicted of DUI. His license was revoked, for five years, for a 2004 Washington County conviction.

The victim’s brother and girlfriend spoke at sentencing.

Florida law requires that an inmate serve at least 85 per cent of his sentence.