Driver in fatal DUI crash draws prison

NORRISTOWN » Saying he took the life of an “extraordinary man,” a judge sent a former Bucks County man to prison for speeding and driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs during a two-vehicle crash in Montgomery Township that claimed the life of an 85-year-old Lansdale man.

David Edward Campbell, 51, who at the time of his arrest listed an address in the 200 block of East Paletown Road, Richland Township, was sentenced in Montgomery County Court on Thursday to 20 to 60 months in a state correctional facility in connection with the 8:25 a.m. May 23, 2017, crash at the intersection of Richardson Road and Shady Lane in Montgomery Township.

With an additional period of probation, Campbell will be under court supervision for seven years.

The crash claimed the life of Robert Sykes Sr., 85, of Lansdale, who was driving a 2014 Toyota Camry that was struck by Campbell’s 2005 Ford van. Sykes’ 86-year-old wife, Mary, was seriously injured in the crash. An autopsy determined Robert Sykes died of multiple injuries sustained

in the crash.

The crash occurred as the victims were on their way to a Lansdale senior center where they did volunteer work.

“It does sound like Mr. Sykes was an extraordinary man. This is a terrible loss, not only for his family but for the community,” Judge Todd D. Eisenberg addressed relatives of Sykes who presented emotional testimony about their loss.

Robert Sykes served as an Episcopalian minister for more than 25 years and also was a registered nurse. Sykes, a father of five and grandfather to 13, also was a volunteer APPRISE counselor at the PEAK Center in Lansdale, according to testimony.

“His entire life, he really was always giving and doing for others, such an amazing heart,” said Marie Sykes, the victim’s daughter-in-law. “He gave of himself. He was quite a man.”

Emotional at times, Sykes’ son, Thomas, testified his mother has had to reside in a skilled nursing facility since the crash and misses the companionship of her husband. He described his mother as “brokenhearted.”

“My dad’s purpose in life was always about giving to others,” Thomas Sykes said.

Granddaughter Michelle Stafford testified her grandparents were “childhood sweethearts.”

Campbell, who most recently resided in Hatfield, pleaded guilty to charges of homicide by vehicle, aggravated assault by a vehicle and driving under the influence of a combination of alcohol and drugs.

By pleading guilty to the charges, Campbell admitted that he caused the death of another person while driving in a reckless or negligent manner.

“From the bottom of my heart I am truly sorry. I pray for you every day,” Campbell tearfully addressed members of the Sykes family before learning his fate. “I realize there are no words that can heal your pain. I have no right to feel sorry for myself. My sorrow is for you.”

Blood tests determined Campbell had a blood-alcohol content of 0.261 percent, more than three times the legal limit of 0.08 percent. Tests also showed the presence of several controlled substances in Campbell’s system, including Phenobarbital, valium and traces or metabolites of cocaine, according to court papers.

Testimony revealed Campbell had four prior DUI arrests and other citations for excessive speeding and traffic violations, and Assistant District Attorney Laura Bradbury, arguing for a lengthy prison term, said Campbell didn’t learn from his past brushes with the law.

“He got behind the wheel drunk, high and was speeding,” Bradbury argued. “The loss of a life is a loss that cannot be corrected. They lost a husband, a father and grandfather. They lost a man who was on his way to assist other people that day. That cannot be replaced.”

Defense lawyer William Goldman argued Campbell, the father of teenage children, is genuinely remorseful and sought inpatient and outpatient treatment for his alcohol and drug addiction issues and is committed to his sobriety. Goldman said Campbell had a difficult upbringing as a child and self-medicated.

“He recognizes the disease, the concept of alcoholism and drug abuse and the consequences. It’s a very tragic case. David Campbell prays, as do I, for the Sykes family,” Goldman said.

Campbell’s children wept as sheriff’s deputies placed handcuffs on their father and escorted him from the courtroom on his way to prison.

The investigation determined Campbell’s van was traveling northbound on Richardson Road and Sykes’ vehicle was stopped at the posted stop sign on Shady Lane intending to turn left onto Richardson Road. As Sykes’ vehicle began to turn left the front of Campbell’s van struck the driver’s side of the Sykes vehicle, according to the criminal complaint filed by Montgomery Township Police Officer David Dunlap and Special Montgomery County Detective Joseph Morrissey.

While at the crash site, investigators detected an odor of alcohol on Campbell’s breath and observed he had slurred speech, glassy eyes and was unable to complete his thoughts and showed signs of impairment.

“Campbell admitted drinking wine several hours prior to the crash,” Dunlap and Morrissey alleged in the arrest affidavit.

Investigators alleged Campbell’s vehicle was traveling between 59-and62-mph at the time of the crash. The speed limit on Richardson Road is posted 35 mph, according to court documents.

Detectives alleged that had the Campbell vehicle been traveling at any speed less than 50 mph it would have been able to stop prior to the crash and the Sykes vehicle would have been able to complete the left turn safely.

“After completing the crash investigation, the crash investigators determined that the causation of this crash was directly related to the combination of the level of impairment of Campbell as well as the speed at which Campbell was operating his vehicle,” Dunlap and Morrissey alleged in the arrest affidavit.