MACOMB COUNTY, Mich. – An Eastpointe man convicted in a drunk driving crash that killed a beloved Hamtramck bar owner has learned his sentence.
On Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2021, Eric Compton was driving under the influence of alcohol when he struck a motorcycle carrying Brad Ruff and his wife.
Ruff died and his wife was critically injured. Ruff was the longtime owner of Kelly’s Bar in Hamtramck. His friends told Local 4 in 2021 that Ruff had plans to retire and sell the bar at the time of the crash.
Compton was found guilty on two charges after a three-day jury trial. He was convicted of operating a motor vehicle with a high BAC causing death with a prior conviction, a 20-year felony. He was also convicted of operating a motor vehicle with a high BAC causing serious injury with a prior conviction, a 10-year felony.
On Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024, a Macomb County judge sentenced Compton, 42, to 20-40 years in prison for the first conviction and nine to 20 years for the second conviction. He was sentenced as a habitual third offender.
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The video below is a report from Aug. 18, 2021: