Man gets seven more years for fatal 2007 crash

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- A Wappapello, Mo., man sentenced to nine years in prison earlier this month just received an extension due to a probation violation.

Jason Merrill, 21, pleaded guilty to the first-degree manslaughter due to intoxication. The crime, normally a class C felony, was raised to a class B because of his status as a prior and persistent offender.

On probation from a 2005 burglary conviction, Merrill has also had his probation revoked due to the July 2007 crash that killed a Bonne Terre, Mo., couple.

Merrill was sentenced Wednesday to serve an additional seven years that will run consecutively to his manslaughter conviction.

Merrill pleaded guilty to causing the fatal July 7, 2007, crash on Route J in Stoddard County that killed Peter and Susan AuBuchon.

Two members of the AuBuchon family offered testimony at the sentencing.

Merrill was originally charged with two counts of first-degree involuntary manslaughter, one count of second-degree assault and one count of endangering the welfare of a child.

Added to those charges in August 2007 were two counts of first-degree involuntary manslaughter due to intoxication and two counts of second-degree involuntary manslaughter.