Driver gets 18 months in crash that killed baby
A 56-year-old man was sentenced to 18 months in prison for driving while drunk and crashing his car head-on with another car near Waimea Bay, killing a baby passenger.
Ceriaco Kasoga had pleaded guilty in December to first-degree negligent homicide for causing the death of 10-month-old Saydee Miller in September 2005.
Deputy Prosecutor Wayne Tashima had argued for the maximum 10-year term, citing the egregiousness of Kasoga's conduct.
Witnesses had estimated Kasoga speeding between 50 and 80 mph and overtaking cars before losing sight of him as he went around a bend. That's when they heard the crash, Tashima said.
Kasoga had crossed the double-solid line on two-lane Kamehameha Highway.
In the car he hit, Saydee was killed and her grandmother, who was driving, was injured. Kasoga's two children who were in the car with him were also injured, but not seriously.
"He was driving recklessly and had no care for any other human," Tashima said.
Kasoga later admitted he had earlier drunk at least four beers. His blood alcohol level was 0.11, over the legal limit of 0.08, Tashima said.
Circuit Judge Richard Pollack handed down a sentence of 18 months in prison and five years' probation. He ordered Kasoga to perform 200 hours of community service and pay $7,600 in restitution to the baby's family. Pollack also revoked Kasoga's license for five years.
Kasoga was to be sentenced Feb. 12, but that hearing was postponed when, on his way to the courtroom, he was punched in the face by the baby's father.