Man sentenced in DUI death of JCC teen

JAMES CITY COUNTY, Va. - The driver convicted of driving drunk and killing a James City County teen in April was sentenced Monday.

Matthew Burch, 36, will serve 24 years in prison followed by 19 years on probation for 19-year-old Christopher Mellis' death.

State Police told WAVY.com Burch's car was going in the opposite direction on Richmond Road when he drifted into Mellis' lane and hit his car head-on.

"I never, no matter what you've gone through in your life, there's nothing to compare with the pain of losing your child," Donna Mellis told WAVY.com back in April. "You might as well go out in the street with an oozie and start shooting, it's no different."

Mellis says her son was following behind a friend, who swerved to avoid Burch. But Mellis didn't have time to react.

The Williamsburg James City County Commonwealth Attorney confirmed Burch had two prior DUI convictions within the last ten years.

"This shouldn't happen, this isn't an accident; this is not an accident," said Donna Mellis.

Donna Mellis says she had to see her son's body. She described it as broken. But his soul, everyone described as unbreakable.

"I'm starting to feel that he wasn't met to be here for a long time because he seems to have touched so many people in his brief life," said Mellis.

She hopes her tragedy will be enough to prevent someone else's.

"It's going to happen to other people, but if it can happen to one less or two less, my son's death isn't in vain," said Mellis.

Burch was convicted of DUI, Aggravated Involuntary Manslaughter, and Felony Homicide on July 13.