David Charles Casey, a 52-year-old from Soldotna, was sentenced last month to 31 years in prison for manslaughter and assault in the third degree related to a 2021 car crash.
The Department of Law announced the sentencing Friday, saying that the sentence was a result of a plea agreement, and that he received 18 years and 180 days for the manslaughter charge and 12 years and 180 days for the assault charge — a total of 30 years and 360 days.
Kenai Superior Court Judge Eric B. Smith sentenced Casey.
According to the release, Casey was driving while impaired on July 17, 2021, with Samuel Helmuth, Chase Friedemann and Eli Frederickson. As he was driving home, he “failed to negotiate a right-hand curve,” driving through the oncoming lane and off the road. His vehicle struck trees and rolled. Helmuth, a 27 year-old from Idaho, was ejected from the vehicle and killed.
The release said that Casey fled the scene without caring for the surviving passengers.
Friedemann and Frederickson both reported to authorities that Casey was commenting about being “DUI” and hoping that he wasn’t stopped by police.
According to previous Clarion reporting, Casey was found at his home at around 5:30 a.m. by Alaska State Troopers.
Helmuth’s family was present at the sentencing, the release said.
This story was edited on Tuesday to correct the age of Samuel Helmuth.
Reach reporter Jake Dye at jacob.dye@peninsulaclarion.com.
