Man who drove into home sentenced to work release

David Young, (Bio) dyoung@greeleytribune.com
April 30, 2008

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A Greeley man charged with driving under the influence and crashing his car through the front bedroom of a home was sentenced to 160 days work release and 72 months supervised probation Tuesday.

Justin Matney, 22, was driving under the influence with a revoked license when he drove through the front wall of a home in the 100 block of 50th Avenue Place in west Greeley in April 2007.

Matney was arrested two blocks away for driving under the influence, careless driving and driving with a suspended license. The accident, which destroyed the room, caused an estimated $10,000 worth of damage.

In court Tuesday, Matney apologized to the Habermans, who live in the home, and the court, adding that he is enrolled in alcohol classes.

Shannon Haberman said it took six months to repair the hole in her wall, and said she hopes Matney will learn from the experience.

"We don't hold grudges or have any ill will," Haberman told the court.

Weld County Court Judge Timothy Kerns said he thought the sentence was extremely reasonable, and that Matney has a serious addiction to alcohol.

Included in his sentence is twice daily breathalyzer tests a combined with treatment 180 hours of public service and working with a victim's impact panel.