A 22-year-old Iuka man has been sentenced to a total of 40 years in prison in connection with charges filed following a fatal traffic crash in Salem last May.
Judge Mark Stedelin sentenced Justin Bullard to 35 years in prison for first-degree murder with an additional five years added for aggravated driving under the influence. Another five-year sentence for aggravated street racing will be served concurrently with the aggravated DUI charge.
Bullard faced the charges in connection with the death of Nita Mobley of Salem who perished in the crash at West Main and Hotze after her car caught fire. He had earlier been found guilty by Judge Stedelin in a bench trial.
Bullard’s attorney has already filed a motion seeking a new trial that will be held on December 13th at 10am. Until that time he will remain in the Marion County Jail.
Testimony at the trial indicated that he was highly intoxicated and traveled at an extreme speed of 90 miles per hour all the way from Sandoval to Salem, passed three other vehicles on the shoulder, and was still traveling at 96 miles per hour two seconds before the crash with a red light showing.
Three people verbally gave victim impact statements to the judge before he handed down the sentence. They included Mobley’s husband Mike as well as Stephanie Sullens and Nancy Pearce.
Bullard will also have to complete four years of mandatory supervised release when getting out of prison. He will get credit for 172 days already served in the Marion County Jail.
