Police found Gagnon's blood-alcohol level was more than twice the legal limit. In May, the judge convicted him of aggravated vehicular homicide and aggravated vehicular assault. Today, he was sentenced to 43 years behind bars, all of which he will have to serve.
The courtroom was packed with family members from both sides and you could hear weeping during the proceedings. Gagnon's attorney says this his client knows that his drinking and driving caused the accident and that it will haunt him for the rest of his life.
Today Gagnon spoke to the court for first time. He said that "No matter how long the sentence might be, I'll be serving a life sentence for the guilt and the pain I have caused everyone. Never will I be able to undo the damage that I have done and I am deeply sorry."
But sorry won't bring back Danny Griffin's family. The father suffered a fractured vertibra, but his greatest injury was his broken heart.
He says he now comes home to a lifeless house: "a house without children running about, laughing and playing, a house without my wife greeting me with her beautiful smile and loving kisses." Pictures are the only memories he has to cherish. "They are beautiful to look at for sure, but their smiles have no voices."
Just before New Year's Eve, Gagnon's family had a party at an Oregon, Ohio, bar. They rented rooms so nobody would have to drive drunk, but Gagnon left, drove drunk to Taco Bell, got on I-280 the wrong way and crashed into the Griffin/Burkman van. It split in half, Christmas presents scattered across the highway, and five people were dead.
Bethany Griffin, 36, of Parkville, Md., and three of her daughters - Vadi Griffin, 2 months; Lacie Burkman, 7; and Haley Burkman, 10 - died in the crash along with Jordan Griffin, 10, the daughter of Danny Griffin.
The 24-year-old claims he doesn't remember a thing because he was in a black out state. Gagnon's lawyer Rick Sanders said, "He believed he was going out to the the truck to sleep it off. He wishes he had gone to the hotel."
Jeff Lingo is assistant Lucas co. prosecutor. He says, "When we talk about the fact that he was in a blackout, I would indicate to the court he was able to start the car, drive to Taco Bell, order food, pay for it with a credit card and leave."
Michael Gagnon pleaded no contest to causing that accident in December.
