Ed. — From the Sunday, Aug. 13, print edition.
COURTHOUSE — A city man on Monday, July 31, pleaded guilty to charges related to a drunk driving crash in late December that injured two people and shutdown a local bookstore for several months.
Joseph Grillo, 43, pleaded guilty to three charges before Circuit Court Judge Kevin Duffan. The charges are maiming while driving under the influence and DUI with victim serious injury, both felonies, and DUI first offense, a misdemeanor.
Grillo’s lawyer, Derek Smith, said the crash stemmed from Grillo’s alcoholism – and that Grillo hoped those he harmed will come to forgive him.
“Mr. Grillo accepts responsibility,” Smith said after the hearing. “He’s sorry for the pain that he caused.”
A stipulation of evidence filed with the court shows Grillo on Friday, Dec. 30, made a sharp turn into a shopping center at Providence and Kempsville roads, then sped toward Smith Discount Books and crashed into its storefront.
Smith Books is next to an ABC store. Grillo told police he was driving to the ABC store. His blood alcohol content was 0.42, over five times the legal limit, and, according to the stipulation of evidence, Grillo told police he had been drinking whiskey prior to the crash.
One victim, then 25 weeks pregnant, was pinned against a bookshelf and vending machine, suffering injuries to her back and hip, according to the stipulation of evidence. The other was pinned between a table and bookshelf, and injuries included a fracture that required a metal rod to be placed in her leg. She was in a wheelchair for months.
Smith Discount Books, a family-owned business that opened in 1985, remained closed before reopening in May.
“I will accept your guilty pleas to each of these charges,” Duffan told Grillo in court after leading the defendant through questions about his plea.
The judge apprised Grillo that he may face 15 years in prison and 12 months in jail, and he set a sentencing date for Tuesday, Nov. 14.
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