Immigrant Gets Jail Time For Killing Local Couple In Drunk Driving Crash

An illegal immigrant accused of driving drunk and killing a local couple on vacation in Florida has cut a plea deal that could still send him to prison for 55 years, FOX19's Chris Shaw reports.

Right now their family is thinking maybe Jim and Margie Rook were looking out for their children one last time by looking down on a Florida courtroom. And maybe that's how you explain this unexpected turn of events."

"This is a good outcome for us," said Dale Rook, Jim Rook's brother.

In Florida for the trial, Dale Rook told FOX19 the family was shocked that Jesus Barnal, the illegal immigrant who was supposed to go on trial this week, instead pleaded no contest to killing the Rooks, meaning he'll go to prison for driving his truck drunk and hitting them head on last summer as the family vacationed.

It also means their teenaged daughter, who was injured in the crash and their adult son, who watched it happen will not take the witness stand.

"I think it's best for the family, it's best for everyone involved to not have to go through a trial...relive this tragedy," said Tom Wagner, a friend of the family.

Tom wagner is a member of the Rooks' other family. Jim was the drummer and lead singer for a popular local group called the Fast Forward band.

"Two kids are without their parents now. And here's a young man who's going to spend the rest of his life in jail," said Wagner.

But not before the Rook family gets a chance to address him in a Florida courtroom Thursday morning.

"I just want to make sure that this guy understands the amount of pain he's brought to this family," said Dale Rook.

And after that, maybe they can come home with a little closure.

To give you another idea of how loved and missed the Rooks are, a plaque hangs at Deaconess Hospital. where Jim was a surgical assistant.

It recognizes him as a member of the family there. Barnal will be sentenced next month. He could get between 38 and 55 years.

FOX19.com staff

http://www.fox19.com/Global/story.asp?S=7097546