A horrific drunken-driving accident in Waimanalo in 2003 that killed two young people and fractured the lives of three families resulted in a 10-year prison sentence yesterday for the driver.

Circuit Judge Richard Perkins noted evidence and testimony that Jonathan R.K. Namauu has turned his life around since the accident, but said, "I believe that this case is the worst example of irresponsible driving activity that I have ever had to deal with as a judge."

Namauu's brother, Zebedee Leahy, 21, a passenger in the pickup truck that Namauu was driving, was killed in the accident, as was Jamie Singleton, 17. They were among the six passengers in the bed of the truck when it crashed at high speed on Kalani'anaole Highway Feb. 1, 2003.

"I won't have grandkids," Singleton's father, Willie J. Singleton, told Namauu in an emotional afternoon court hearing. "My daughter is gone, the love of my life."

His wife, Nora Singleton, told Namauu, "I forgive you, but you've got to be locked up."

Brittney Herring, who was riding in the back of the truck with Singleton and others, said she has suffered permanent medical and psychological injuries.

"You took my best friends away — both of them. How could you do that?" she told Namauu.

She said she and her family were made homeless by her medical expenses.

"You almost took my life away," she said. "I can't go to work, I can't sleep at night. My life is ruined," Herring said.

Namauu told the court, "I apologize to the families that I have caused hurt, pain and suffering."

He asked for forgiveness, saying, "I've got to deal with this the rest of my life."

His lawyer, Keith Shigetomi, said the defendant is clean of drugs and alcohol and is living and working on Maui, supporting a young son.

Namauu gained custody of his son after the 2003 accident and after he demonstrated to Family Court that he is a responsible parent, Shigetomi said.

"John is asking for the opportunity to pay back" for what he has done, "to help others not make the same mistakes he has made."

Also speaking on Namauu's behalf were his sister and a church official from Maui.

Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Leila Tanaka argued that while Namauu "may have changed," he made a series of "wrong choices" in 2003 that had fatal consequences.

"Two people are forever gone from this earth," Tanaka said. "Another will never be the same."

She asked the judge to "send a message to the public about the seriousness of drunk driving, of excessive speeding. These are crimes Mr. Namauu must be held accountable for."

Namauu pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree negligent homicide and two counts of assault.

According to Tanaka, Namauu had a history of drug and alcohol abuse and repeatedly failed to complete treatment programs. He was convicted of drunken driving in March 2000, but continued driving after that without a license and without insurance.

On the day of the accident, Namauu was drinking from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., was driving the truck 62 mph in a 35 mph zone and had been "playing chicken" with other cars on the road when the vehicle veered off the highway, struck a cement culvert and overturned, according to Tanaka.

Reach Jim Dooley at jdooley@honoluluadvertiser.com.

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