A South Mississippi man is headed to prison for driving drunk when he killed a St. Martin man.
Judge Calvin Taylor on Friday sentenced Huong Van Nguyen, 62, of Vancleave, to serve 18 years in prison on a felony charge of driving under the influence of alcohol causing death.
Nguyen was legally drunk when he caused a Sept. 23, 2022, crash that killed Gary Randall Mitchell, 46, of St. Martin. Martin left behind a wife, a daughter and other relatives and friends.
In his obituary, Mitchell was described as someone who “always had a smile for you.”
“He loved with his entire heart; he never knew the words, No, I can’t help,” the obituary said. “Gary loved being with his family, cooking, and fishing. Gary was a great dad to his loving daughter.”
Nguyen said was on his way home and driving in a reckless manner when he swerved into an oncoming lane on Seaman Road and hit a motorcycle driven by Mitchelll. Mitchell died as a result of his injuries.
Huong Van Nguyen
A blood test showed that Nguyen had drunk enough alcohol that he registered more than the state’s legal limit to drive.
Before his arrest, Nguyen had worked as a casino dealer and shrimper, according to his plea petition.
Relatives and friends wrote letters of support for the judge to consider before sentencing. The Rev. Dominic Pham from Sacred Heart Catholic Church is among those to write in, asking the judge to consider leniency in sentencing Nguyen.
Pham described Nguyen as a humble man who regularly attended mass at the church with his wife and children.
“I really believe Huong is committed to continue living an honest life and better himself,” Pham said. “I have no reservation about the integrity of his character and his sincere desire to be a good and productive citizen.”
Gary Randall Mitchell died after a drunk driver crashed into his motorcycle in September 2022.
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Department investigated the case.
District Attorney Angel Myers McIlrath and Assistant District Attorney Bill Barrett prosecuted the case.
“Our hearts go out to the family of Gary Mitchell,” McIlrath said. “Gary was a loving husband, father and provider who was taken from them far too soon. While there is no sentence that can be imposed in this case that will bring Gary back, we hope that today’s sentence will help his family in the healing process. “
As for Nguyen, McIlrath said, “this case highlights how one irresponsible and reckless decision can have earth-shattering consequences.”
“Despite having a loving and supportive family of his own, this defendant made the very irresponsible decision to drive drunk,” McIlrath said. “Because of his decision and actions, Gary Mitchell was killed, and his family is left to mourn his loss. Today, the defendant was held accountable for his actions.”
