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DUI driver in deadly crash asks for sentence reduction

By Minna Sugimoto - bio | email

HONOLULU (KHNL) - A drunken driver, who caused a deadly crash on the H-1 Freeway six years ago, asked a judge to reduce his 20-year prison term Thursday. But the judge refused, saying he can't take that chance with the public's safety.

Andra Kimp received a gift in 2006 when he was sentenced to a year in jail and 10 years probation for a 2003 DUI crash that killed his passenger.

"I'm very sorry for everything that's happened," he said.

But four months after his release from jail, police in Virginia arrested him for driving while intoxicated.

"Not marginal intoxication, but extreme intoxication," Richard Pollack, Circuit judge, said. "The officer noted not only strong odor of alcohol but extremely slurred speech."

Authorities say his blood-alcohol level was 0.31.

"Released on probation with the condition that he not drink and he not drive, he was apprehended with almost four times the legal limit," Arkie Koehl, Mothers Against Drunk Driving Hawaii, said. "It's a slap in the face."

As a result, Pollack re-sentenced the former Schofield Barracks soldier to 20 years in prison for the freeway fatal. On this day, Kimp begs the court to reconsider.

"I was trying to change my life and everything, your honor, and if I could have another chance, I know I'll be a better person," the convicted drunken driver said.

But the judge tells him he would pose a significant risk to the safety of the community.

"The court is simply unwilling to take that risk," Pollack said. "The court gave you that opportunity."

The group Mothers Against Drunk Driving is pleased Kimp is now serving the maximum punishment for manslaughter.

"I'm sure that the judge was chagrined, as I'm sure we all were that this happened, and wasn't going to let it happen again," Koehl said.

The judge says Kimp has an excellent military record, has no prior convictions, and is a father to two young children. But he denied the motion anyway.