Woman gets prison time for deadly DUI crash
KAYE THORNBRUGH | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 5 years, 4 months AGO
Kaye Thornbrugh is a second-generation Kootenai County resident who has been with the Coeur d’Alene Press for six years. She primarily covers Kootenai County’s government, as well as law enforcement, the legal system and North Idaho College. | May 20, 2021 1:00 AM
RATHDRUM — A woman who pleaded guilty to causing a deadly crash while driving drunk last year will spend at least 10 years in prison.
Kearen R. Young, 51, of Post Falls, pleaded guilty in March to vehicular manslaughter and aggravated DUI, both felonies.
Judge Cynthia Meyer sentenced Young on Tuesday to five years fixed for aggravated DUI and five years fixed and 10 years indeterminate for vehicular manslaughter.
The sentences are to be served consecutively.
Young’s driver’s license is suspended for life.
Idaho State Police said 73-year-old Albert G. Galli and 49-year-old Amy L. Galli of Post Falls were riding a motorcycle together on Aug. 30, 2020, when Young failed to yield to traffic while turning west onto Village Boulevard.
The motorcycle reportedly hit Young’s vehicle on the passenger side.
The Gallis were launched over the vehicle and landed on the road, police said. They were taken to Kootenai Health by ambulance.
Young reportedly left the scene.
When police located her, she provided breath samples of 0.27, 0.24 and 0.25 — more than three times the legal limit.
Police arrested Young, who was charged with two counts of aggravated DUI and with leaving the scene of an injury accident, all felonies.
After Albert Galli died in November, prosecutors amended the charges.
Young was previously convicted of driving under the influence in Arizona in 2006 and 2007, according to court documents.
She was also convicted of DUI in Hawaii in 2006.
Judge Meyer called Young’s actions “reckless” and “heartless” in court Tuesday.
This story has been updated for clarity.
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