Fatal DUI accident nets up to 10 years

A 31-year-old man who caused the death of his brother in a drunken-driving accident was sentenced Monday to a prison term of up to 10 years.

Third District Judge Dennis Fuchs ordered Josef Mark Dickes to serve zero to five years in prison for third-degree felony attempted automobile homicide and imposed the same sentence for third-degree felony driving under the influence. The sentences will run consecutively.

"I think you are a danger to the community and to yourself, and I think you need treatment," Fuchs told Dickes.

The judge declined a defense attorney's request to run the sentences concurrently, saying Dickes can get the necessary substance abuse treatment in prison while also repaying a debt to society.

Fuchs noted several relatives were present in the courtroom.

"I know your family loves you, I know your family will forgive you, but society doesn't forgive you as easily," Fuchs said. "The horrible thing here is that the tragedy continues for your family."

The judge also said he agreed with findings in a presentence report that termed Dickes narcissistic and unable to control his anger.

"You're young," the judge told Dickes. "You have a lot of time to make this up."

Dickes acknowledged his wrongdoing and said he would "completely comply" with whatever it would take to put the incident behind him.

"I know I've made some mistakes and I expect to pay for them," he said tearfully. "I loved my brother. It was really difficult to watch him die."

Dickes' brother, Benjamin, died in the Aug. 13, 2002, accident on I-15, and another man was seriously injured.

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