Published: Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Snohomish man who killed four sentenced to eight years
EVERETT — A Snohomish man who killed four people in a drunken-driving crash along Highway 9 was sentenced to eight years in prison this afternoon.
Matthew McDonald was drunk when he climbed behind the wheel of a Ford Explorer on Nov. 29. He blasted through a stop sign and crashed broadside into another vehicle.
Killed were two Clearview couples: Brad and Melissa Agerup and Thomas and Hilda Woods. The Agerups and the Woodses were friends and neighbors returning home from planning a birthday party.
McDonald in January pleaded guilty to four counts of vehicular homicide. This afternoon, he apologized in front of a courtroom packed with tearful relatives and friends of the victims.
"So much has been lost because of one choice, one bad choice," said Kaitlyn Agerup, one of the two teenage daughters that were orphaned by the crash.The Woodses are survived by three grown daughters.
Four good people were loved and respected in their community; now there are two crosses along a highway, marking the scene of a tragedy, said Debbie Howell, daughter of Thomas and Hilda Woods.
She urged Snohomish County Superior Court Judge David Kurtz to send a message to others who may drink and drive.
McDonald, 28, has never been in trouble before, not even getting traffic tickets, the court was told. Still, Kurtz said the crime deserved stiff punishment. His sentence was just six months shy of the top punishment allowed under state guidelines.
Kurtz recalled how witnesses to the crash scene spoke of watching McDonald react with horror that night, asking "My God, what have I done?"
"Indeed," the judge said. "The short answer is the defendant killed four wonderful people and thoroughly devastated two fine families," and hurt those he loved, as well.
In addition to prison time, the judge sentenced McDonald to a writing assignment.
On the anniversary of his crime, on his last year behind bars, the judge said McDonald must write a letter that will become part of the court file.
In the letter, Kurtz said he expects to read how McDonald plans to atone.
Matthew McDonald was drunk when he climbed behind the wheel of a Ford Explorer on Nov. 29. He blasted through a stop sign and crashed broadside into another vehicle.
Killed were two Clearview couples: Brad and Melissa Agerup and Thomas and Hilda Woods. The Agerups and the Woodses were friends and neighbors returning home from planning a birthday party.
McDonald in January pleaded guilty to four counts of vehicular homicide. This afternoon, he apologized in front of a courtroom packed with tearful relatives and friends of the victims.
"So much has been lost because of one choice, one bad choice," said Kaitlyn Agerup, one of the two teenage daughters that were orphaned by the crash.The Woodses are survived by three grown daughters.
Four good people were loved and respected in their community; now there are two crosses along a highway, marking the scene of a tragedy, said Debbie Howell, daughter of Thomas and Hilda Woods.
She urged Snohomish County Superior Court Judge David Kurtz to send a message to others who may drink and drive.
McDonald, 28, has never been in trouble before, not even getting traffic tickets, the court was told. Still, Kurtz said the crime deserved stiff punishment. His sentence was just six months shy of the top punishment allowed under state guidelines.
Kurtz recalled how witnesses to the crash scene spoke of watching McDonald react with horror that night, asking "My God, what have I done?"
"Indeed," the judge said. "The short answer is the defendant killed four wonderful people and thoroughly devastated two fine families," and hurt those he loved, as well.
In addition to prison time, the judge sentenced McDonald to a writing assignment.
On the anniversary of his crime, on his last year behind bars, the judge said McDonald must write a letter that will become part of the court file.
In the letter, Kurtz said he expects to read how McDonald plans to atone.
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