Man sentenced to 35 years for crash that killed his 2 sons

WAUKESHA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A Waukesha County judge sentenced a Milwaukee man to 35 years in prison Monday for causing a crash last December that killed two of his sons.

Paul Vinson, 30, tearfully apologized to the court during his sentencing hearing. Vinson reached an agreement with prosecutors where he pleaded guilty to five felony counts of causing injury or death by vehicle while under the influence and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. 

Last Dec. 20, Vinson fled from a Waukesha County sheriff's deputy who tried to stop him for speeding, having illegally tinted windows and not having a rear license plate. After initially stopping, Vinson took off and reached speeds faster than 110 miles per hour before losing control and flipping the car on Golf Road in the Town of Delafield.

Vinson had five passengers in the car at the time, including his three children, his 14-year-old niece and his girlfriend. Vinson's two 10-year-old sons died at the scene. Prosecutors said Monday his niece still hasn't regained the use of one of her arms since the crash.

Waukesha County District Attorney Sue Opper asked Judge J. Arthur Melvin, III for a sentence of 30 years in prison followed by 20 years of extended supervision. Vinson's attorney, Steven Hughes, requested a 10-year prison sentence followed by 30 years of extended supervision.

Melvin handed down a punishment even harsher than prosecutors sought, sentencing Vinson to 35 years in prison followed by 32 years of extended supervision.

Melvin listed several circumstances around that crash that informed his sentencing decision. The four children were not wearing seatbelts, and Vinson had previously been cited four different times for not restraining his kids in the car.

Vinson also had six ounces of marijuana in the trunk of the car and was under the influence of marijuana. He also had a handgun in the truck that was modified with an extended magazine and a "switch" that allowed the gun to fire at an automatic rate.

Melvin also noted Vinson had never received a Wisconsin driver's license, according to state records.

Following the sentencing, both Hughes and Vinson's relatives declined to speak with reporters.