Posted on: Tuesday, April 27, 2004

Drugged driver gets 10-year prison term

Advertiser Staff

The first person in Hawai'i to be convicted of negligent homicide for driving under the influence of drugs was sentenced to a maximum 10 years in prison for negligent homicide, promoting dangerous drugs and having drug paraphernalia.

Circuit Judge Victoria Marks ordered that Danny Gormon, 39, serve a maximum 10-year term for negligent homicide and maximum five-year terms each for third-degree promotion of dangerous drugs and for possession of drug paraphernalia. All the sentences will run at the same time.

Gormon was found guilty by Marks in November 2002 of negligent homicide for causing the death of Jasey Delos Reyes, 11, of Kalihi who was thrown from Gormon's car after it overturned on H-2 Freeway near Waipi'o Gentry on Oct. 8, 2000.

City Deputy Prosecutor Keith Seto said Gormon was traveling south on H-2, weaving in and out of traffic on a wet roadway at between 90 and 100 mph when he lost control of his car.

Gormon had crystal methamphetamine and Valium in his system at the time of the accident, Seto said.

Although Gormon was charged with manslaughter, he was found guilty of negligent homicide, resulting in a maximum sentence of 10 years instead of the 20 he could have received for a manslaughter conviction.