Edhat Staff
Nicholas Burnell Hart mug shot (Photo: SBPD)
By edhat staff
A Goleta man with previous DUI convictions was sentenced to nearly 16 years in prison for killing an elderly pedestrian in a 2018 traffic collision.
Santa Barbara County District Attorney Joyce E. Dudley announced today that Nicholas Burnell Hart, age 27 of Goleta, was sentenced by the Honorable Michael J. Carrozzo to a combined prison sentence of 15 years and 8 months.
On the evening of January 23, 2018, Hart was traveling southbound on State Street at a high rate of speed when his vehicle struck a 91-year-old man in the marked crosswalk at the intersection of Micheltorena Street.
The pedestrian, George “Ted” Johnson, was a resident of Casa Dorinda who was displaced by the Montecito mudslide. He was also the co-founder of Snowbird Ski & Summer Resort in Holladay, Utah. He died two days later from his injuries.
Hart, driving a 2003 Honda Civic with a suspended license, was found to be driving under the influence of alcohol and also believed to be influenced by prescription drugs. His blood alcohol content was approximately three times above the legal limit. He also had in his possession an open bottle of alcohol and marijuana.
Hart’s license had been suspended because of two prior DUI convictions, making this his third DUI arrest in just under 3 years.
On May 13, 2019, Mr. Hart pled guilty to Gross Vehicular Manslaughter and related charges and admitted violation of his probation cases. In addition, he waived approximately 26 months of custody credits.
The victim’s family commented, “We appreciate the work of the Santa Barbara District Attorney’s Office, their efforts in prosecuting Mr. Hart’s case, and the resulting agreement which will serve as a form of justice for the despicable events that occurred.”
District Attorney Dudley stated, “This successful prosecution was the result of an exemplary investigation conducted by members of the Santa Barbara Police Department and Senior Deputy District Attorney Ben Ladinig… This case is another painful reminder of the extreme dangers of driving while intoxicated, which in this case resulted in a tragic loss of life.”
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He deserves a longer sentence than that. Good riddens.
When someone with his record finally kills someone, the charge should be some sort of equivalent to premediated murder since his actions were such that the question wasn’t if, it was when and who he’d kill. He had multiple warnings and chances to get help.
Seems to me the onus of this crime is on the judge that let him go free the second time. On another note, should be ban cars since it was so easy for Mr Hart to have access to one and kill this pedestrian ? Cars are a 2,000 lb potential weapon. No, cars don’t kill people. People kill people. Same with knives, guns… etc. Make consequences more severe, make people more responsible for their actions and we will have a more civil society… oh. that.
He should have practiced “good behavior” while out of jail and the poor old man would still be alive. Hope he has to pay the whole time in jail.
Would this be considered a “non violent crime”? If so, our fearless leaders will let him out to do the same thing in a couple years.
You don’t need a gun to get to work, genius. As well, since you’re so brilliant, clearly, explain why all the psycho mass shooters choose the military style semi-auto rifle instead of their car. Come on, Einstein, let’s hear it.