Baton Rouge, LA: Man sentenced 16 years for killing friend in DWI crash

Ryan Fitts

BATON ROUGE, LA (WAFB) –

Sixteen years in prison for accidentally killing his friend may sound harsh, until you hear what he was doing at the time. In the case of Ryan Fitts, there are no winners, only losers.

As they came out of District Court, neither side was particularly happy. Ryan Fitts had just been given a sentence of 16 years for the negligent homicide of Kevin Schmick. Fitts, who had two previous DWI arrests, was going 95 miles per hour down Barnett Road. Barnett Road is a two lane roadway. When Fitts crashed his truck, it killed Kevin Schmick, who was a passenger. Schmick’s family had some strong words in court in front of Judge Lou Daniel.

“It’s been a tough three long years to get to this point,” said Kevin’s father Gary.”I was the voice for my son for three years, I’ve heard the voice in my head….’help me dad’…so all I could do was get justice for my son Kevin.

Keith Schmick lost his only brother. Friends and family comforted him after Kevin’s death. “We had a great family behind us…..this is hard. I’m glad it’s over.”

Kevin Schmick