Drunk Driver begins 15-year sentence

A man who was convicted of a 2013 DUI collision that seriously injured another driver in Athens began serving last week a 15-year sentence in connection to the crash.

“Ghandi Bowens Jr., who was holding a can of beer when emerging from his wrecked car, entered into an agreement with the Western Judicial Circuit District Attorney Office on Sept. 15 where he will serve three and a half years in confinement and the balance of the 25-year sentence on probation,” according to an article by the  Athens Banner-Herald. “The first year to 18 months of probation will be served at the Athens-Clarke County Diversion Center, according to the plea agreement approved by Clarke County Superior Court Judge Lawton Stephens.”

Bowens reportedly surrendered himself at the jail last week to begin serving his sentence.

“The DUI collision occurred the afternoon of Dec. 2, 2013. Witnesses told police Bowens was recklessly driving his Ford Mustang, weaving in and out of lanes while apparently speeding,”  the ABH article reads. “When attempting to make a lane change, police said Bowens’ car clipped the driver’s side of an SUV, pushing that vehicle onto the shoulder where it flipped over ‘end over end,’ and landed right-side up.”

Witnesses at scene told police that while the SUV driver was trapped inside her crushed vehicle, Bowens crawled out of the Mustang while holding out a beer can. He then reportedly tilted the beer can and attempted to drink the rest of what witnesses believe was a 20 oz Bud Light.

“Bowens took the beer and turned it up and finished the beer and then tried to leave the scene,”  the ABH article reads. “Bowens told police the collision occurred as he was driving home from work. Police said he held a DUI permit from a previous conviction that allowed him drive to and from work.”

There is no mention in the article of the current condition of the woman who was involved in the crash.