05/08/08

On June 8th last year, 22 year old Sam Naranjo, of Heyburn, was driving home from twin falls when he collided with a van driven by 48 year old Edward Coats, of Twin Falls, near the Hansen Bridge. Coats later died at St. Luke’s Magic Valley.

Speaking in front of the judge, Twin Falls Deputy Prosecutor Julie Sturgill said, "For the Coats family, they now have a new catchphrase, which is, 'There will never be another – fill in the blank – with Ed.'"

Naranjo's blood alcohol level was 0.22, more than twice the legal level. He pled guilty to vehicular manslaughter.

Coats' wife bonnie now has three children to support by herself, she said, "What you did was thoughtless and careless, and I can never forgive you for that. You made a choice to get behind the wheel of that car. You hit and killed my husband."

When it was his turn to speak, the defendant addressed the court and the family and said, "Also, however, I do take full responsibility for what I've done, and I'm totally sorry. This is something I must live with every day of my life. And getting behind the wheel was the biggest mistake of my life."

Fifth District Judge Robert Elgee said this accident was completely avoidable and that Naranjo's recklessness was inexcusable. Elgee sentenced Naranjo to up to 15 years in prison in the Idaho State Penitentiary, with eight and a half years fixed, and six and a half years indeterminate.

Jay Michaels, KMVT News.