PORT ANGELES — A Port Angeles man who had pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide while driving under the influence of alcohol was sentenced to five years in prison Tuesday after asking relatives of Darrell E. Campbell for forgiveness for Campbell’s Aug. 25 death.
Clallam County Superior Court Judge Ken Williams sentenced Steven William Boyd, 49, of Port Angeles to 60 months in prison and 18 months of supervised probation for vehicular homicide in Campbell’s death, and 20 months each for two counts of vehicular assault in the injuries of Campbell’s brother and niece — all to be served concurrently.
Campbell, 49, lived in Ahousat, B.C., and was a member of the Ahousaht First Nation.
He and members of his family were traveling to Neah Bay to attend the Makah Days festival when Boyd’s vehicle struck theirs on state Highway 112 near Place Road at about 8 a.m. that day in August.
Five years isn’t long enough, said some of the members of Campbell’s tribe and family after the sentencing.
More than 80 members of the Ahousaht tribe and members of the Makah, Quileute, Elwha and Hoh tribes attended the hearing to testify as to Campbell’s value to the tribal community.
“This room is full of pain and some anger. As it should be,” Williams said.
Testimony lasted for more than an hour.
Boyd sat through most of the testimony facing the judge, his jaw working as he maintained his composure.
Boyd talks to family
When the family’s testimony was complete, he addressed the members of the family in attendance.
“There is not a day to pass by that I will not carry this with me. I lost a daughter four years ago. I know the pain,” Boyd said.
“I hope that in time, you can find it in your hearts to forgive me,” he said.
Boyd was immediately taken into custody to begin his sentence and is being held in the Clallam County jail until his placement in a state prison is determined, Williams said.
Boyd also will be required to undergo evaluation for drug and alcohol dependency and provide restitution to the state and family, Williams said.
A restitution hearing was set for Oct. 3.
The sentencing guidelines for Boyd were from 51-68 months, Williams noted.
Williams said that unlike many defendants who appear before him for similar crimes, Boyd does not have an extensive record.
Boyd’s only record concerned a DUI that occurred in 1982, said John Troberg, Clallam County deputy prosecuting attorney, who did not say if Boyd was only charged with a DUI or if the case continued through the courts.
Defense attorney Alex Stalker said the DUI was not in the records he had been given. He questioned whether it happened and objected to the fact that it was brought up.
Troberg said that the case would not be considered in sentencing because of its age.
Boyd also had worked for the same employer in Port Angeles for 20 years and had a stable family life, it was noted.
Not replaceable
Campbell was a tribal leader whose loss is not replaceable, family and tribal members testified.
His knowledge of tribal fisheries and traditions, his giving nature and his outspoken support for the tribe’s rights made him a leader among them, they said.
He was also the father of three daughters and the only man remaining in his grandson’s life after the boy’s father died several years ago, family members testified.
Losing Campbell was devastating to his family and tribe, not only because of his leadership and financial contribution, but because he championed the tribe’s rights and found time to counsel young men in the tribe who were struggling.
“I cannot believe this,” said Janice Campbell in a letter that was read aloud to the court.
“I wish this was just a nightmare,” she added.
When the wreck occurred, Angus Campbell, Darrell’s uncle, was driving a Ford Ranger with Darrell Campbell in the front passenger seat and his cousin Sophie Campbell in the back seat.
The Ranger was struck head-on by an Isuzu Rodeo driven by Boyd.
Darrell died at the scene, while Angus and Sophie both received severe injuries from which they continue to recover.
The State Patrol said Boyd had a 0.12 percent blood-alcohol level from a blood sample taken 95 minutes after the wreck and a 0.079 percent level from a portable Breathalyzer about two hours after the wreck.
The legal limit in Washington is 0.08 percent.
He also had several prescription medications in his system that are classified as depressing the central nervous system in a manner similar to alcohol, Troberg said.
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arwyn.rice@peninsuladailynews.com.
