Ludrick Sentenced To 40 Years
Posted: November 5, 2009 at 4:20 a.m.
FAYETTEVILLE — A Washington County judge sentenced a Springdale man to 40 years in prison Wednesday for a wreck that killed a 66-year-old grandfather just days before Christmas and left three other family members severely injured.
Weston Ludrick, 31, was convicted Wednesday of negligent homicide in the death of Miguel Guadarrama-Nava. Ludrick was also convicted of three counts of fi rst-degree battery, refusing to take a breathalyzer test and driving on a suspended license.
A jury recommended 10-year sentences for the- Ahomicide charge and each of the three battery convictions.
The wreck occurred Dec. 21 when a PontiacGrand Prix driven by Ludrick on Old Wire Road near its intersection with Emma Avenue bounced off a curb then hit a southbound GMC pickup driven by Bruce Armstrong, 46, of Fayetteville. Both vehicles crossed the centerline and collided head-on with a northbound Dodge van driven by Amber Ayala, 28, of Rogers.
Ludrick was drunk, having more than three times the legal blood alcohol limit. A blood test, required after fatalaccidents, showed an alcohol level of .27. The legal limit in Arkansas is .08.
The van received massive damage to the front end. Ayala suffered a broken leg and two of her young sons su◊ered head injuries. One also had an eye injury. Miguel Guadarrama-Nava, the boys’ grandfather, died from his injuries. The family was discussing Christmas plans and Guadarrama-Nava was reaching for a dropped pacifier when the impact occurred, according to testimony.
“We’re just healing,” Ayala said. “We’re getting better every day, little by little, but we won’t ever have my father-in-law back. He was so special. My boys will carry on his name.”
News, Pages 3 on 11/05/2009
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