Dad took ‘gulp’ of vodka, flipped car and left ejected teenage daughter to die

Oklahoma father who fled crash that killed daughter sentenced to five years

Elliott Binney; Shelby Binney.Credit :Tulsa County Jail; GoFundMe

Elliott Lincoln Binney was sentenced Monday after pleading guilty to first-degree manslaughter, child neglect, leaving the scene of a fatal accident, and transporting an open container in connection with the death of his 16-year-old daughter, Shelby Binney, court records reveal.

The father admitted that he took a “gulp” of vodka, was driving more than 100 miles per hour in rainy conditions, and was attempting to pass another vehicle.

The vehicle flipped, throwing his daughter out. Officers found one of the victims sitting outside the vehicle on the passenger side. Two juvenile victims had to be pulled out of the vehicle.

Shelby Binney, 16, was killed after her father crashed their car

Before emergency services arrived, Binney fled the scene on foot and reached his parents’ home.

He then obtained another vehicle from a nearby business and drove across the state.

However, police tracked him down and arrested him the following day.

Meanwhile, Shelby, Brittany, and the other children were rushed to a hospital. Shelby later succumbed to her injuries, while the rest of her family members survived.

Elliott L. Binney, 43, admitted to taking a “gulp” of vodka before crashing his car, killing his 16-year-old daughter -Credit:Tulsa County Jail

Though Binney admitted to taking a drink of vodka, and there was alcohol in the car, Tulsa District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler told a judge there was “no provable evidence beyond a reasonable doubt that he was driving his family while he was impaired,” according to a courtroom report from local CBS affiliate KOTV.

“What was provable was his reckless driving, the death of his daughter, the injuries to his wife and children, and his leaving the scene,” Kunzweiler said.

The prosecutor said there were several “unique circumstances” in the case. Among them: Brittany Binney, Elliott Binney’s wife and Shelby’s mother, opposed her husband going to prison.

In her impact statement, Brittany said Binney has already suffered enough due to the death of their daughter. She added that she wants her husband to be free for the sake of their other children.

Kunzweiler reportedly noted the difference of opinion in his statement.

“Sometimes criminal cases are like that — where a victim may prefer one outcome, and I have to take a position inconsistent with the victim’s desires,” he told the judge. “That is what makes this job tough, but it is a job I have been doing for over 36 years.”

In the end, the judge sided with the prosecution, which had recommended between two and five years behind bars.

After a plea deal, he was only sentenced to 5 years in prison and probation, and he will receive credit for time already served. He will be eligible for parole after serving at least 85% of the sentence.

What are your thoughts? Comments? ONLY 5 years and then not having to serve all of that! Manslaughter — 5 years?

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