Thomas Cypress, a member of the Miccosukee Tribe of Florida, was sentenced to 12 years in connection with a car accident that killed two people.

Cypress pleaded guilty to two counts of DUI/manslaughter. In addition to prison time, he was ordered to enter a drug and alcohol rehabilitation program, to wear a GPS monitoring device for two years and to never drive a vehicle or a boat again.

Cypress also agreed to pay $120,000 for a scholarship fund in honor of Robert and Paulette Kirkpatrick and to pay the family $22,000 for funeral costs. He will make a $2,000 donation to Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

The February 2009 incident occurred off the reservation. Tribal police officers were not involved in the investigation, The Miami Herald reported.

Get the Story:
Deadly driver sentenced as tearful family watches (The Miami Herald 7/1)
Cypress Sentenced To 12 Years For DUI Manslaughter (CBS4 6/30)

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