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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Car Crash Driver Gets 5-Year Term Two Passengers Injured In High-Speed Accident

A woman is in a wheelchair, and now the man who put her there will be in prison.

First District Judge Gary Haman on Monday ordered Robert A. Thomas, 30, of Coeur d’Alene to spend up to five years in prison for two counts of aggravated drunken driving.

In January 1995, Thomas was driving his Corvette with two passengers he had just met at a bar - Victoria Van Horn and her brother, Rick Van Horn. Thomas had been to three bars that night, authorities said.

As he drove down Harrison Avenue through a Coeur d’Alene neighborhood, Thomas gunned the car, speeding between 70 mph and 115 mph, according to police estimates.

The car then launched into the air.

The ensuing wreck scattered car parts over several city blocks and left Victoria Van Horn in a coma. Rick Van Horn’s ear was nearly ripped off and his back was broken.

Victoria Van Horn, 35, came out of the coma months later but suffered severe brain damage and has to be cared for by her mother.

“In 10 years, Vicki Van Horn is going to be eating mush through a straw and Sharon Van Horn is going to be changing her diapers,” deputy prosecutor Scot Nass told the judge during Monday’s sentencing hearing.

Thomas again denied being drunk when the accident occurred, although his blood-alcohol level was measured at 0.11 percent - over the legal limit.

When the judge gave Thomas a chance to speak, the defendant alternated between taking responsibility for the crash and blaming his passengers.

“I’ve seen a lot more evil people out there (than myself),” he said. “All I can say to the Van Horns is I’m sorry, but thank God we lived through it.”

Thomas will be eligible for parole after one year in prison.

, DataTimes