SEATTLE — A Renton man convicted in a boat crash that killed a Seattle teacher was sentenced Friday afternoon.
Richard Hick received 2.5 years for boating drunk, which was half of what prosecutors wanted.
Prosecutors say Hicks' 25-foot motorboat was traveling at a high speed when it struck a sailboat, tossing three people into the waters of Lake Washington in July 2014.
North Seattle middle school teacher, 33-year-old Melissa Protz, was killed when she was pinned between two boats.
Two other people were seriously hurt.
Hicks’ blood alcohol content was nearly twice the legal limit at the time of the crash.
He was charged with homicide by watercraft and two counts of assault by watercraft.
The jury found Hicks guilty on all counts on July 21.
Prosecutors asked for a 5.5 year sentence.
The victim’s family pleaded with the judge for the maximum.
Instead, Judge Carol Shapira went well below the standard range and sentenced Hicks to 2.5 years.
Judge Schapira gave two reasons for her decision—the sailboat was running in the dark without lights, and the sailboat operator was also drunk.
Hicks, a real estate agent and former University of Washington football player, apologized to the victim’s family.
The courtroom was packed with his supporters.
Hicks was taken into custody after the hearing to begin serving his sentence.
The prosecution has a chance to appeal the sentence, because it was below the standard sentencing range.
KIRO
