CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Matthew Harvie will spend less than six months in jail after he was convicted of driving drunk in a crash that killed passenger Mary Stephens Brooks last year.
Brooks’ family is upset with the decision made in court Thursday.
"This is so wrong. This is so wrong,” said Joann Stephens, the mother of Mary Stephens Brooks.
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Officials with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said the crash involved one car and happened around 1:20 a.m. Feb. 18 on Runnymede Lane near Barclay Downs Drive in south Charlotte.
(Matthew Harvie)
Police said Harvie was driving his 2006 Acura on Runnymede Lane when he ran off the roadway on a curve. The vehicle hit a large tree, split apart and struck three other trees before overturning, authorities said.
Brooks, who left behind a 3-year-old daughter, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Harvie was charged with felony death by vehicle and pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter.
In court, he stood before the victim's family and apologized.
"I just want to say, there aren't words to describe how sorry I am,” he said. “There is nothing I can do to make up for what I've done."
Harvie was only given a 120-day active sentence, far short of what the family wanted.
“Disgusted,” said Anne Elcess, a family friend. “It’s disgusting. It’s not fair. He was not remorseful. He Is not part of our family. I don’t accept his apology. He’s not forgiven and he won’t be.’
Brooks’ family is now raising her daughter.
“She was a wonderful person inside and out, a beautiful soul and a great mother,” Stephens said.
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