MOHAVE COUNTY — A Las Vegas, Nevada man held responsible for a Christmas eve drunk driving traffic fatality in extreme north Mohave County broke down at his July 23 sentencing hearing.
“There’s no words,” sobbed Michael Doan, 47. “I’m so sorry. I take full responsibility.”
The Mohave County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) said Doan was northbound in his Ford pickup truck when the vehicle crossed the center line of Highway 91, striking a southbound Toyota at about 6:22 p.m. on December 24, 2024.
The driver of the Toyota, Donald Thurston, 59, Prineville, Oregon was fatally injured in the wreck at mile post 3 in the community of Littlefield. Thurston’s fiance was injured, but survived the accident.
Doan is convicted of manslaughter, aggravated assault, criminal damage and driving under the influence through a plea agreement.
The surviving fiance told Judge Doug Camacho the aftermath of the crash racks her with depression, pain and an ongoing concussion. She said the defendant’s blood alcohol content measured at .278, about 3.5 times beyond the legal limit for driving, demands a lengthy prison sentence.
Judge Camacho said the suffering of the surviving victim and the decedent’s family and friends made an impression on him.
“I can’t imagine the pain that they’re going through, but I know that it is significant,” Camacho said. “It breaks my heart to hear about what happened.”
Camacho ordered a 6.5-year prison term for the manslaughter count and 3.5 years more for the aggravated assault conviction associated with the survivor.
Those terms will run consecutive to one another. Judge Camacho ordered that Doan shall serve four years probation once his 10-year prison sentence is completed.
