Robertson Gets 17 Years For Double Fatality Crash

By Larry Bemis

Sentinel Editor

The drunk driver who caused the death of former Sheriff Mike Eslinger and his wife Darla, was sentenced in Owen Circuit Court last week to 17 years, but will serve less that two behind bars.

Bryan Robertson, 43, of Brazil, was sentenced to the maximum 17 years by Judge Lori Thatcher Quillen, but all but four years was suspended. With nearly a year’s credit for time served in jail and on the SCRAM (Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitoring) device, plus good time credit, he will likely serve less that two years in jail.

Robertson faced two counts of driving while intoxicated resulting in death, Level 5 felonies and two counts of driving while intoxicated resulting in serious bodily injury, Level 6 felonies. He pled guilty and admitted drinking six to eight beers in a bar with co-workers before giving a friend a ride home December 21, 2017. He crashed head-on into the Eslinger’s car, being driven by their 17-year-old granddaughter Josie. She and Robertson, along with his female passenger, were taken to area hospitals for treatment of their injuries.

For the full article, see this week’s edition of the Parke County Sentinel.