An Eastpointe man with a history of drunk driving offenses has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term after causing a fatal crash that took the life of a local bar owner and seriously injured his wife, multiple outlets reported. The crash occurred on Aug. 15, 2021, when Eric Compton, 42, hit a motorcycle driven by Bradley Ruff and his wife Patricia at the intersection of Holland and Rosalind, FOX 2 Detroit detailed.
Bradley Ruff, 64, a well-known figure in Hamtramck for owning Kelly's Bar, tragically died from the collision, and his plans to retire and sell the bar were cut short, ClickOnDetroit has indicated, Compton fled the scene in another vehicle following him but was later arrested by police officers who also noted his significant level of intoxication, being over twice the legal limit.
After a three-day jury trial, Compton was convicted on two charges: operating a vehicle with a high BAC causing death with a prior conviction and operating a vehicle with a high BAC causing serious injury with a prior conviction; he blasted through a stop sign and into the Ruffs, causing irreversible damage and grief to their family and the community. Circuit Judge Diane Druzinski sentenced Compton to 20-40 years for the death of Bradley Ruff and an additional concurrent term of nine to 20 years for the injuries caused to Patricia Ruff.
In court, the impact of the event was palpable, as the Ruff family delivered emotional testimonies about the man they described as "gregarious and upbeat," statements that, according to Macomb Daily echoed around the courtroom and beyond, Compton also expressed his remorse for his actions and the consequences that have since unfurled, telling the court, "There could’ve been a million things that could’ve been different. It’s just hard for me to make sense of it all."
Kara Ruff, the victim's daughter, felt some measure of solace with the sentence handed down, hoping it would allow some peace for her family after justice was served; however, the sentence will not take away the pain and loss felt by the victim's loved ones, or restore what was taken from them, instead, it serves as a grim reminder of the consequences of a tragic and preventable act of recklessness.
