Jason Melerine sentenced to 18 years in prison in vehicle deaths of Beth Bria, Jason Crain

Jason Melerine, who was convicted on two counts of vehicular homicide and one of DWI in April, has been sentenced to 18 years in prison on each count, according to Rick Wood, spokesman for District Attorney Walter Reed. Melerine must serve the first three years without benefit of probation, parole or suspension of sentence.

Beth Bria and Jason Crain

Melerine’s imprisonment came as a result of the deaths of 18-year-old Beth Bria and 23-year-old Jason Crain, both of Angie, in an early morning crash on a rural Washington Parish highway in June of last year. Bria, a student at Varnado High School at the time, and Crain were engaged to be married on Oct. 8, 2010.

22nd Judicial District Judge William Crain sentenced Melerine Monday and set the penalties to run concurrently. In addition, Melerne was fined $10,000 and will be required to undergo the Blue Waters substance abuse program and to also complete his GED while imprisoned. Melerne could have been sentenced to up to 30 years on each count of vehicular homicide.

Melerine was 18 at the time of the crash, which occurred about 4:50 a.m. on Sunday, June 30, 2010. Law enforcement officials said the crash occurred on Louisiana 424, north of Pine (which runs from Pine through Thomas and to the Mississippi line) as Melerne was southbound in a pickup.

Reports indicated Melerine failed to maneuver a curve, causing the pickup to cross the center line. At that point, as the vehicle entered the northbound lane, Malerine steered sharply to the right, causing it to rotate clockwise and run off the road to the right. The pickup continued to rotate as it left the roadway and struck several trees before coming to a stop.

Neither Bria nor Crain were wearing seatbelts and both were pronounced dead at the scene. Melerine, who was also not wearing a seatbelt, was not injured. He submitted to a breath alcohol test and registered over the legal limit. In addition to the first offense DWI and two homicide charges, he was also charged with no seatbelt and careless operation.

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