Suspect enters plea agreement, sentenced for striking 17-year-old with truck
Gregory Durling SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- The St. Joseph County Prosecutor's Office announced 39-year-old Gregory Durling entered a plea agreement for the April 13 crash that left a 17-year-old girl severely injured.
Durling's plea agreement was for Count I: Causing Serious Bodily Injury when Operating a Vehicle while Intoxicated, a Level 5 Felony, Count III: Criminal Recklessness, a Level 6 Felony, and Count IV: Criminal Mischief, a Class B Misdemeanor.
All other counts were dismissed.
Durling was driving his pickup truck when he hit a 17-year-old girl walking on the sidewalk at the intersection of Mishawaka and Longfellow Avenues.
Durling's truck continued into and through a nearby building's corner wall.
For Count I, Durling was sentenced to five years in custody, with one year to be served in the Indiana Department of Corrections and four years to be served on St. Joseph County Community Corrections.
For Count II, he was sentenced to an additional two years of probation, consecutive to Count I.
For Count III, he was sentenced to 180 days in custody, to be served concurrently with Count I.
Durling was also ordered to complete a mental health and substance abuse evaluation and recommended follow-up treatment, to complete the Victim Impact Panel, and to pay restitution to the victim of Count III.
Durling's driver’s license was also suspended for a total of four years.
