MARQUETTE --
The Gwinn man who pled guilty to a pair of felonies after a deadly hit-and-run accident last year was sentenced Friday morning in Marquette County Circuit Court. Luke Huotari will serve 18 months to five years in prison. He was charged for failing to stop at an accident causing serious injury or death.
On July 4, 2012, Karin LaChapell and her husband were hit by a car driven by Huotari while crossing US-41 in South Marquette on their way to see the fireworks display. Karin died later from her injuries, and her husband was seriously injured.
Huotari left the scene of the accident and turned himself in to Marquette Police three days later.
Huotari read a statement in the courtroom. Karin's husband and her mother also spoke before the sentence was delivered.
"As I began to accept the unacceptable, I knew I was in shock," Huotari said. "I was scared, and I panicked. I'm not making excuses, and I know that I was wrong."
"I feel leaving the scene after striking two people with your vehicle shows a serious lack of human decency," said Bryan LaChapell. "He stated in the police report that he thought he hit a dog as a cover story. How can you say that about two human lives?"
There were several people sitting in the courtroom today, supporting the LaChapell family.
Huotari has credit for 39 days already served in jail. He will also have sanctions on his drivers license when he is released from prison.
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