Drunken driver gets
at least 18 years
for manslaughterProsecutors say long minimum
terms set a strong precedent
The Hawaii Paroling Authority has ordered a Waimanalo man to serve 18 years in prison before he can seek parole for driving drunk and killing 32-year-old Lori Wiley nearly two years ago.
Kam Williams, 19 at the time of the Jan. 2, 2001, crash on Kalanianaole Highway near the Olomana Links, was sentenced in January to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to reckless manslaughter for causing Wiley's death.
Deputy Prosecutor Franklin Pacarro Jr. said long minimum terms such as this send a message to repeat offenders who continue to drive while intoxicated that their actions can result in severe consequences, including causing someone's death.
"Maybe people will start getting the message that this is serious, that you can really go to jail for this kind of offense," said Pacarro.
At a hearing before the parole board, prosecutors asked that Williams be ordered to spend 20 years in prison.
Williams' blood-alcohol level was 0.21 percent shortly after the crash -- nearly three times the state's blood alcohol limit of 0.08 percent. He also tested positive for marijuana.
Just 3 1/2 months earlier, Williams had been arrested and later convicted of DUI and had his license suspended for 90 days. He was not supposed to be driving and did not have insurance for the car he was driving when he drifted head-on into a car driven by Wiley, a full-time Air National Guardsman who was on her way to work at Hickam Air Force Base, Pacarro said.
Williams also failed to complete an alcohol education course ordered by the court for the earlier DUI conviction.
Even after the crash that killed Wiley and after Williams was indicted in April 2002, he was arrested three times for driving without a license, Pacarro said.
Williams had been drinking at two nightclubs shortly before the crash. The bars were sued by Wiley's family for failing to check whether Williams met the legal age limit to consume alcohol. The bars settled a year ago and agreed to pay the Wiley family $1 million.
While the 18-year sentence is similar to that handed down to former police officer Clyde Arakawa, who was convicted of manslaughter for driving while intoxicated and causing a motorist's death, the parole board reviews each case individually, said Tommy Johnson, Paroling Authority administrator.
Among the factors considered by the board in determining a minimum are the nature of the crime, the degree of loss to people and property, the defendant's criminal history, their ability to lead a law-abiding life before the offense and assistance provided to law enforcement.
While the degree of loss was similar in both cases, Arakawa was a police officer and went to trial to contest the charge, unlike Williams, who pleaded to avoid a trial.
Williams and his attorney could not be reached for comment. At sentencing, Williams apologized to the Wiley family, including Wiley's husband, David, and 8-year-old daughter, Kayla.
By law, Williams can apply for a reduction in his minimum after serving six years -- a third of his minimum, Johnson said.