A D.C. man admitted he was driving drunk and high on PCP during a crash on Sherman Circle that injured his young son, a pregnant woman and an elderly couple.
Merl S. Howard, 27, pleaded guilty to aggravated assault, attempted assault with a dangerous weapon, and assault with significant bodily injury. He faces between 4.5 and 12 years in prison, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office. His sentencing is Sept. 8.
On March 17, Howard was driving in Northwest Washington with his 5-year-old son and a pregnant woman when he entered Sherman Circle speeding about 50 mph, prosecutors said. His car struck another car that was occupied by an elderly couple. The woman suffered cuts and bruises, and the man required heart surgery to correct a condition caused by the crash, prosecutors said.
Howard’s son suffered fractures to his face and skull, a seizure, blood clotting, cerebral hemorrhaging and a large cut to his forehead. Howard’s other passenger, who was pregnant, suffered extensive cuts.
