Conrad v. Commonwealth
Court of Appeals of Virginia
521 S.E.2d 321 (1999)
Relevant factsFree
After 22 hours awake, Christopher Conrad (defendant) began feeling drowsy while driving home, caught himself dozing off four or five times, but continued driving because he was only minutes from home; he ultimately fell fully asleep at the wheel, veered off the road, and killed a jogger running near the pavement's edge. A jury convicted him of involuntary manslaughter, and he appealed, arguing the evidence was insufficient to show criminal negligence.
IssueFree
Whether a driver who repeatedly falls asleep at the wheel, eventually causing injury or death, is guilty of involuntary manslaughter.