Central Coast man sentenced for crash that killed two women

An emotional day in court ended in a prison sentence for a man who hit and killed two women while driving drunk. That man is Stuart Elder, 32, of Pacific Grove, apologized Wednesday to the family of his victims.

Sharon Daly and Linda Larone, died almost two years ago in the 2013 DUI crash in Pebble Beach. On Wednesday, Elder faced his punishment.

“If I could trade places with them and bring them back I truly would,” Elder said in court.

In an emotional apology, Elder spoke directly to his victims’ families.

“I am truly sorry,” Elder said.

Larone’s brother, spoke to Elder.

“The person that did this had complete disregard for people and arrogance when dealing with this court,” Larone’s brother said.

The prosecution argued, Elder made a conscious decision that night in 2013 to drink, drive and as a result kill Larone and Daly.

“If it wasn’t my sister Sharon in that it could have been anyone,” Larone’s Brother said.

“The reason he is here today, I know is only a one time offense,” Elder’s passenger Selvia Gattas said.

Gattas, who was seriously injured that night, still came to Elder’s defense. She recounted her close relationship with him.

“I owe my success to his kind manner and compassion,” Gattas said.

After the dust settled, a sentence of 13 years was handed down by Monterey County Judge Pamela Butler.

“This is one of those difficult cases where someone didn’t mean to hurt anyone but terrible consequences ensued,” Elder’s lawyer Michael Lukehert said.

With that, Elder will pay the price in prison, but not before letting the family know one more time.

“I will never let the tragedy of April 7, 2013 out of my mind and heart and if there’s anything I can do to make this better let me know,” Elder said.

Even though the sentence was for 13 years, it wasn’t to the liking of the defense. But it could have been much worse as the prosecution was seeking 17 years and eight months.

Elder was convicted of two counts of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated; one count for each victim. The judge said Elder would be eligible for parole after he’s served 85 percent of his 13-year sentence.