ORANGE, Texas — Family and friends of a Vidor grandmother killed by a drunk driver are angry and say the justice system failed.
Blake Bowen was sentenced by Judge Steve Parkhurst to 10 years in prison and fined him $10,000 on Wednesday in Orange County’s 260th District Court.
Bowen pleaded guilty April 9, 2019, to intoxication manslaughter in the June 3, 2018 death of Vivian Markle, 72.
The courtroom was packed with Markle's family and supporters as well as family and friends of Bowen.
Markles' son, James Reeves, told 12News he was shocked by the sentence handed down by Judge Parkhurst.
"That means that you can drink, drive, do cocaine and marijuana, kill people. I just I'm shattered over what the verdict was. It wasn't right,” Reeves said.
During the sentencing phase Wednesday Judge Parkhurst heard testimony from two state troopers and Reeves.
Bowen was arrested in October 2018 and charged in the wreck that happened on FM 105 near Mansfield Ferry Road in Orange County outside of Vidor.
He could be eligible for parole in 5 years.