The smug teen was caught on video playing beer pong — a clear violation of his probation terms — and as a result went on the lam with his mom’s help. The U.S.Marshal’s Service even put out a wanted poster for the pair as well as a $5,000 reward for information leading to their capture. Now that they’ve been taken into custody in Puerta Vallerta, Mexico, he could finally end up in prison as he deserved for taking so many innocent lives. Here are five things to know about Ethan:
1. His dad is worth millions:
Ethan’s father owns Cleburne Sheet Metal, valued at approximately $15 million.
2. Ethan was no stranger to breaking laws before his accident:
He drove himself to school when he was just 13-years-old (the legal driving age in Texas is 16), and when the head of his school brought it to his parents’ attention, his dad threatened to buy the school rather than punish his son! When he was 15, Ethan was cited for “minor in consumption of alcohol” after he was found passed out drunk in his pickup truck with a naked 14-year-old girl.
3. He was beyond wasted when he plowed into a stalled vehicle and those trying to help the driver:
Three hours after his June 15, 2013 incident, he still had a blood alcohol content of 0.24, three times the legal limit for adult drivers in Texas. He struck a stalled car along with people trying to help the driver, killing four victims.
4. The judge who gave him his light sentence retired before she could be recalled.
Despite demands for a recall, Judge Jean Boyd retired shortly after handing down Ethan’s sentence.
5. Why his lawyers called Ethan’s case an “affluenza” defense:
A psychologist hired as an expert by the defense testified in court that the teen was a product of “affluenza” and was unable to equate his bad behavior with consequences because his parents taught him that wealth buys privilege.
HollywoodLifers, do you hope Ethan goes to jail?