By Jennifer Eisenbart
Editor
According to news outlets in St. Petersburg, the drunken driver who hit and killed a Burlington native last spring has been sentenced to 30 years in jail.
Aaron Davis, a 31-year-old Burlington High School graduate, was killed April 11, 2015, while walking from his job as executive chef at The Kitchen in St. Petersburg.
Police were chasing Jason Lannard Mitchell, who ran a red light at a reported 80 miles an hour and struck Davis and friend and co-worker Brian LaChance.
Davis died instantly, while LaChance suffered life-threatening injuries but recovered.
Mitchell was sentenced Monday, according to reports, to 30 years in jail and another 15 years on probation.
Carly Gueldenzopf, Aaron’s sister, made a statement on behalf of herself, her husband, Nic, and Aaron’s stepfather and mother, Bob and Karen Gueldenzopf
“It’s a tragedy for both families – ours and Jason’s,” Carly said. “No amount of time can bring Aaron back, but we are satisfied with the judge’s decision.”
In the days following the accident, Davis’s wife, Ana, gave birth to the couple’s second child. The two met as coworkers at another St. Petersburg restaurant.
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