Man pleads guilty to DUI in crash that killed four at bus stop
A 24-year-old man pleaded guilty Friday to five counts related to a drunken driving crash that killed four people and severely injured five others standing at a bus stop in September 2012.
As part of a deal with prosecutors, Gary Hosey pleaded guilty to four counts of DUI with death and one count of DUI with substantial bodily harm. He was originally charged with nine counts.
The deal included a stipulated sentence of 24 to 80 years in prison. A formal sentencing hearing is set for Nov. 1.
Chief Deputy District Attorney Brian Rutledge said, “Mr. Hosey’s actions in smoking marijuana and drinking and driving that morning caused substantial death and suffering and we believe that this resolution is fair under the circumstances.”
Blood tests showed that Hosey was just below the legal limit of .08 blood alcohol level two hours after the crash.
He was also found to have had active marijuana in his system.
Prosecutors believe the combination of marijuana and alcohol caused severe impairment that led to the crash.
Hosey’s lawyer, deputy public defender Ed Kane, did not immediately return a message requesting comment.
According to his arrest report, Hosey told police that before the crash, he drank only one beer with friends at an Ethiopian bar near the bus stop at Spring Mountain Road and Decatur Boulevard.
Police said the 2001 Monte Carlo was traveling at a high speed when it went airborne at the intersection and slammed into the crowded bus stop at about 6:30 a.m. on Sept. 13, 2012.
Gerber Hernan Ayala-Tomasino Jr., 24, Johnni Lee Garner, 49, Margoth Gonzalez, 65, and Hyon Cooley, 47, were killed.
Contact reporter Francis McCabe at fmccabe@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-1039.
