Ethan Couch, who killed four people while driving drunk, has been spared jail by a judge who says his rich parents never taught him about consequences. Courtesy Fox4 News

A TEENAGER who killed four people while driving drunk has been spared jail by a judge who says his rich parents never taught him about consequences.

The Star-Telegram reports that the families of those who died expressed their anger as Ethan Couch, 16, of Texas, escaped a possible 20 year prison sentence and instead was handed 10 years of probation.

"Money always seems to keep (Couch) out of trouble," Eric Boyles, whose wife and daughter were killed in the June 15 crash, told the Star-Telegram after sentencing.

"Ultimately today, I felt that money did prevail. If (he) had been any other youth, I feel like the circumstances would have been different."

Youth pastor Brian Jennings; mother and daughter Hollie and Shelby Boyles; and 24-year-old Breanna Mitchell died in the June 15 accident.

Mitchell's car had broken down that night and the Boyles, who lived nearby came out to help. Jennings was passing by and stopped to help as well.

Couch had a blood alcohol reading of .24 and also had a Valium in his system after he and a group of friends stole alcohol from Walmart, drank it and then seven of them jumped in his truck.

Couch was 50km/h over the speed limit when he struck and killed the four pedestrians as well as injuring two of his own passengers who remain paralysed.

One of Couch's passengers, Sergio Molina, now communicates by blinking his eyes.

Molina's parents are suing Couch and his family for up to $20 million.

Couch's truck flipped in the air and crashed into a tree, while the impact flung the four pedestrians 50 metres. None of the teens were wearing seatbelts.

Dr Gary Miller, a psychologist for the defence, said Couch was a product of "affluenza" and that his family felt that money would solve any problem.

He said Couch was intellectually 18 but had an emotional age of 12.

The defence asked that Couch be sent to a private rehabilitation facility in California, which costs $450,000 a year. Couch's father said he'd foot the bill.

The teen will stay in the detention centre until he is booked into the rehabilitation facility.

He was barred from going home with his parents.

State District Judge Jean Boyd said there was nothing she could do to lessen the families' pain and that she hoped Couch could become a contributing member of society.



