Man Guilty In 93-Year-Old's Death In Crash

ST. PAUL (WCCO) -- A St. Paul man was convicted of criminal vehicular homicide in the death of a 93-year-old.

Eddie Cortez Smith, 32, was also convicted of criminal vehicular operation in the March 28, 2010 crash that killed Edith Schouveller.

According to the criminal complaint, Smith was driving along Milton Street in St. Paul when he struck another car that was stopped at a traffic light.

Officers noted he had slurred speech and smelled of alcohol. He tested with a blood alcohol content of 0.11. He admitted to having three shots of tequila and several beers, though he could not tell officers exactly how many.

"We were just kicking it," he told them.

He said he hadn't noticed the detrimental effects of the alcohol, and claimed he was trying to light a cigarette when the other car pulled out in front of him.

He said he thought he was going 35 or 40 miles per hour. Reconstruction of the crash determined he was driving no less than 53 miles per hour, and probably faster.

"There is no excuse for this kind of terrible tragedy, and we will ask for a sentence that is appropriate," said County Attorney John Choi.

The driver of the other vehicle suffered a cracked pelvis, but survived. The passenger, Schouveller, died as a result of head trauma and a broken neck.