Drunk, unlicensed driver who fatally hit University of Minnesota student gets prison term

A Minneapolis man, Ali Abas Samator, 31, has been sentenced to 7¾ years in prison for causing the death of University of Minnesota student Rylie Saloum in a drunken driving incident. On November 7, Saloum, 18, was crossing at a marked intersection when Samator ran a red light and struck her, leaving the scene immediately afterward. Saloum, who was a freshman at the university, died three days post-incident due to severe injuries. Samator was later apprehended with a blood alcohol level of 0. 17%, exceeding the legal driving limit by more than double.

He has a previous criminal record, including two DUI convictions and various theft and drug charges. The court determined that he would serve nearly five years in prison, followed by supervised release. The incident has raised concerns about road safety and the consequences of driving under the influence. Saloum's family has expressed their grief and called for stricter enforcement of DUI laws.