Repeat Drunken Driver Without License Sentenced to Jail After Fatal Crash
A repeat drunken driver without a license has been sentenced to jail after causing a fatal crash in Maplewood, Minnesota. Chue A. Yang, 59, pleaded guilty to criminal vehicular homicide and received a 90-day jail sentence for the collision that took place on December 10, 2021. His passenger, Tou Moua, 52, from Fresno, California, tragically lost their life in the accident.
In a departure from state sentencing guidelines, Judge Timothy Carey set aside a four-year prison term for Yang. The judge cited Yang’s amenability to probation and treatment for chemical dependency, as well as his clear sense of remorse as reasons for the reduced sentence.
Testing of Yang’s blood revealed a blood alcohol content of 0.146% shortly after the crash, which is more than 1.8 times the legal limit for driving in Minnesota. This incident marks the fourth time Yang has been convicted for driving under the influence, with previous convictions including a crash into a closed garage door in March 2019.
Remarkably, the State Department of Public Safety has no record of Yang ever possessing a Minnesota driver’s license. This further adds to the gravity of his actions and lack of regard for traffic laws.
According to witness accounts, Edwin Hernandez, the driver of a pickup truck, reported seeing Yang traveling at a speed of 60 to 70 miles per hour on the snowy Highway 61 near E. County Road B. Yang was observed swerving all over the road without his headlights on. Shockingly, Yang’s vehicle jumped the raised median, became airborne, and collided with Hernandez’s pickup.
Following the crash, Yang and another passenger, Sammie Tao Moua, 45, of North St. Paul, were transported to Regional Hospital in St. Paul with noncritical injuries. Tragically, Tou Moua did not survive the incident.
Sammie Moua informed officers at the scene that everyone in Yang’s car had been consuming alcohol at a funeral and were on their way home. This revelation further demonstrates the irresponsibility of Yang’s actions and the potential danger he presented to himself and others on the road.
While the judge took Yang’s remorse and willingness to seek treatment into consideration, it is crucial to address the severity of his repeated offenses and the tragic loss of life resulting from his choices. The 90-day jail sentence, although lenient compared to a potential prison term, should serve as a reminder that driving under the influence is a dangerous crime with severe consequences.
This case sheds light on the importance of responsible driving and the devastating impact that intoxicated driving can have on innocent lives. It is imperative for individuals to understand the dangers and legal repercussions associated with such actions and to prioritize the safety of themselves and others on the road.
