Driver gets 10 years for friend’s death

The parents of former Kahuku High star quarterback Waika Carvalho say they don’t harbor any hard feelings for the man who killed their son in a drunken-driving crash, or for the man’s family.

Karlotta Carvalho said she welcomed Bryan Thomas Miller III, his parents and sister into her home for hooponopono or reconciliation and forgiveness. Her husband, Lewalan Carvalho, thanked the Millers for providing the luncheon after his son’s funeral.

But the Carvalhos said there must be consequences for bad choices.

"My son chose to go into that truck. The consequence of that is that he’s dead," Lewalan Carvalho said.

He said Miller needs to suffer the consequences of getting behind the wheel of the pickup truck while drunk.

State Circuit Judge Karen Ahn sentenced Miller, 21, to the maximum 10-year prison term Tuesday for first-degree negligent homicide. Ahn called Miller’s conduct indefensible and the circumstances of the crash atrocious.

Miller was 19 when his truck crashed into the guardrail of Kamehameha Highway’s Kahawainui bridge in Laie on Nov. 14, 2009.

Waika Carvalho, 23, was the front-seat passenger. He died at the scene.

Carvalho had led the Kahuku Red Raiders to the state football championship in 2003.

Miller and three other passengers, ages 18, 18 and 17, were hospitalized for injures suffered in the crash.

The prosecutor said Miller’s blood alcohol content was 0.19. The legal threshold for drunken driving for people 21 and older is 0.08. There is no allowable level of alcohol intoxication for anyone younger than 21.

Police said Miller was also speeding.

According to Carvalho’s autopsy, his blood-alcohol content was 0.113, and he tested positive for an active ingredient in marijuana. The autopsy also said Carvalho was not believed to be wearing a seat belt.

It was standing room only in Ahn’s courtroom Tuesday as relatives of both the Miller and Carvalho families, including Lewalan Carvalho’s brother, Kauai Mayor Bernard Carvalho, attended Miller’s sentencing hearing.

Miller apologized to the Carvalhos for killing his friend.

"I wish I could take his place every day," Miller said.

He said he also takes full responsibility for what happened no matter what the consequences. He pleaded guilty in February without the benefit of a plea agreement.

The Carvalhos said people need to stop drinking and driving.

"We keep ignoring this law. We don’t take it seriously," Lewalan Carvalho said.

Karlotta Carvalho said, "I don’t like it. Don’t do it anymore."

Contrary to reports Karlotta Carvalho said she’s received, Miller’s parents said their son has not continued to drink and drive. They said he has not driven since a grand jury indicted him last December, catching rides instead to school and work.

Police cited Miller for driving a vehicle without a current safety inspection Sept. 20 after he was involved in a minor traffic accident.

Ahn ordered Miller to turn himself in to begin serving his prison term in three weeks.