| For Immediate Release Case # 13WF2144
May 30, 2014 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Chief of Staff Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718Farrah Emami Spokesperson Office: 714-347-8405 Cell: 714-323-4486
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DRUNKEN DRIVER SENTENCED FOR KILLING WOMAN AND INJURING HER fiancé IN MOTORCYCLE CRASH
WESTMINSTER – A drunken driver was sentenced today for killing a 25-year-old woman and severely injuring her 24-year-old fiancé by hitting their motorcycle while under the influence of alcohol. Tadashi Mizutani, 69, Huntington Beach, pleaded guilty May 9, 2014, to one felony count of vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated without gross negligence, one felony count of driving under the influence causing bodily injury, one felony count of driving with blood alcohol .08 percent or more causing bodily injury, and a sentencing enhancement for inflicting great bodily injury. He was sentenced today to serve one year in jail and five years in state prison stayed pending completion of three years formal probation.
At approximately 8:30 p.m. on June 1, 2013, Mizutani was driving his sports car northbound on Goldenwest Street in Huntington Beach. While turning left at the intersection of Goldenwest Street and Rio Vista Drive, Mizutani failed to yield for Taylor R. and Kelly Morehouse as they legally passed through the intersection on their motorcycle. Mizutani cut off the motorcycle and, despite Taylor R.’s efforts, the vehicles collided, causing both Taylor R. and Morehouse to be thrown from the motorcycle.
Mizutani caused the crash that killed Kelly Morehouse and resulted in Taylor R. breaking both of his legs.
Shortly after the crash, Huntington Beach Police Department officers arrived at the scene. Mizutani had a blood alcohol content of .13 percent.
At the sentencing today, the mother and father of Morehouse gave impact statements to the Court. They told the Court that nothing compares to the loss of a child and it’s a life sentence that they have to serve because of the callous acts of the defendant.
Senior Deputy District Attorney Jennifer Walker of the Homicide Unit prosecuted this case.
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