Collier man receives 20 years for DUI manslaughter

NAPLES, Fla. A Golden Gate Estates man convicted of DUI manslaughter after hitting a killing a father of four was sentenced Monday to 20 years in prison.

A jury found Rene Miles guilty in June, a year and a half after the December 2015 crash along Golden Gate Boulevard that killed Cecil Riner, 33. Miles will be eligible for parole after four years.

Riner’s widow spoke during Monday’s sentencing hearing and recounted his last words to her.

“Mama bear, I’m dying,” Jessica Riner recalled him saying. “Please take care of our bears. I love you.”

A judge denied a request from Miles’ attorneys for a new trial.

MORE: Rene Miles convicted in DUI manslaughter case

Riner was driving on Golden Gate Boulevard near 27th Street Southwest en route to a holiday party with his wife when the crash took place. Miles hit the car in front of him, and that car collided with Riner’s van, flipping the van onto its roof, police said.

Miles had about eight and a half drinks before the crash, according to a toxicologist who testified during the trial in June. Miles’ attorney argued that while his client was drunk at the time, he did not cause the crash.

Miles was found not guilty of leaving the scene of the crash but convicted on the four DUI-related charges he faced.