The Fayetteville Observer – March 19, 2002

Plea brings jail sentence

By Arthur McLean
Staff writer
SANFORD -- Dale Reece Hardee will serve at least 16 months in jail as a result of pleading guilty on Monday to involuntary manslaughter in the death of Stanley Eugene Zuravel.

Lee County Superior Court Judge Steve Balog set Hardee’s maximum sentence at 21 months and included five years probation.

Hardee, who is 29 and lives in Sanford, also pleaded guilty to drunken driving. He had been charged with second degree murder, drunken driving and driving left of center.

The plea arrangement was suggested by Balog, who said he did not believe the evidence in the case met the threshold of a murder charge.

Hardee was arrested July 23 after his Ford Expedition collided with Zuravel’s car on N.C. 87 near Sanford. Zuravel, who was 63 and lived in Fayetteville, died in the crash. His wife, Roberta Zuravel, was not seriously injured.

Hardee’s blood alcohol content registered .156 after the accident. The legal limit in North Carolina is .08. Hardee had admitted drinking four beers before the wreck.

Roberta Zuravel sobbed as Assistant District Attorney Bob Huggins read the accepted order of events from that day into the court record.

Zuravel’s son, Lee Zuravel, was not happy with the plea arrangement.

“We were prepared to attend a trial for second degree murder,” Lee Zuravel said. “At least the judge gave the maximum sentence in the presumptive range.”

Lee Zuravel is a lawyer in Fayetteville. He said he was preparing to defend a client arrested for drunken driving the night his father died.

“It’s changed my whole outlook on my career,” he said. “It made me regret every time I defended a DWI, and I will work every day to make DWI laws in this state tougher.”

Lee Zuravel said he thinks sentences should be longer if someone dies.

“(Hardee) was given 16 months,” he said. “That’s not enough when you kill someone.”

Hardee also was ordered to complete a drug and alcohol abuse program, and will have to pay $11,300 in restitution, a $500 fine and court costs.

Balog said he would recommend Hardee be allowed to participate in a work release program.

If accepted, Hardee will not be able to work for his family’s business, Peggy’s Fish House in Sanford. The family has owned the business since 1968.

During sentencing, Hardee expressed remorse for what happened.

“I can’t imagine how you feel,” he said. “My heart and soul goes out to you, and I hope and pray that God will fill the void in your life. I’m so very sorry.”

Staff writer Arthur McLean can be reached at (910) 692-5185 or at mcleana@fayettevillenc.com