INDIANAPOLIS — A drunk driver will serve 4 years behind bars in connection with a 2022 drunk driving crash that killed Rashid Conteh.
Connor Gaskill pleaded guilty on February 4 to Causing Death When Operating While Intoxicated and three counts of Causing Serious Bodily Injury when Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated.
"I'd like to apologize to the family of Rashid, his friends and the community," Gaskill said at his sentencing. "There hasn’t been a day that’s gone by that I haven’t thought of him or his loved ones that are hurt by bad decisions I made that night."
Monday a Marion County judge sentenced him to 4 years in prison followed by two years probation and 2 years of license suspension, which was the maximum allowed under the plea agreement.
Rashid's mother, brother and father all asked the judge to impose the maximum sentence, as well as John Rush, a passenger who was also injured in the crash.
After the judge handed down the sentence, Rashid's family told WRTV Investigates they were pleased with the judge's decision.
"Nothing is justice in this case, but we are grateful that the judge did sentence to the maximum available under the plea," said Beth Pope, Rashid's mother. "It shows she really listened to our family and the pleas we made and looked at the record. We are grateful for that."
As part of a plea agreement, prosecutors agreed to dismiss other charges against Gaskill including Reckless Homicide.
The judge emphasized Gaskill needs to get help in prison for his mental health and to address his substance abuse issues.
"Knowing the pain it’s caused will be with me for the rest of my life," said Gaskill at sentencing. "I know nothing I say will change things, and I make no excuses for my actions. And I accept full responsibility."
WRTV Investiates asked Rashid's mother what she thought of Gaskill's apology.
"I hope it’s genuine that he genuinely is remorseful, but more importantly that he gets the help he needs and that he never does this again," said Beth Pope, Rashid's mother. "That’s more important. That he doesn’t ruin another family’s life."
Rashid's family emphasized they hope the sentence sends a message to the community not to drink and drive.
At the time of the 2022 crash, Rashid and his brother Nelson Conteh were passengers in a Lyft.
"We will all carry scars the rest of our lives, but it is hopefully a message to everyone out there to not drink and drive and to do the responsible thing like my sons did and call a Lyft or an Uber," said Beth Pope. "Don’t get behind the wheel and drive drunk."
A court document alleged that Connor Gaskill caused the crash that killed Rashid Conteh by driving at 55 mph in a 30 mph zone and failing to stop at a stop sign, never applying his brakes, before t-boning a Lyft in which Rashid Conteh and two others were passengers.
A probable cause affidavit alleges that Connor Gaskill ran a stop sign at the intersection of East 24th and North Delaware streets and crashed into the Lyft, which Rashid Conteh, his brother and one other person were riding in.
There are signs beneath the stop signs in that area indicating that cross traffic does not stop, according to the affidavit.
Rashid Conteh was critically injured in the collision and transported to a local hospital, where he later died. An autopsy determined his cause of death was "multiple blunt force injuries resulting from an accident."
Nelson Conteh, Rashid Conteh's brother, the other passenger and the driver of the Lyft were also injured.
The affidavit states that Connor Gaskill told an officer he "did not remember how the accident happened" and initially claimed the Lyft had turned in front of him on East 24th Street. When questioned further, "he stated he couldn't give an honest answer about how the crash occurred."
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It continues, "After providing his information, a statement and cursory check by paramedics, Connor Gaskill walked from the collision area."
Additionally in the affidavit, Gaskill's eyes were observed to be glassy by officers.
He was reportedly drinking with his girlfriend and a friend in downtown Indy, but left without them as they would not ride with him because of his level of intoxication.
According to the crash report filed by an IMPD officer, no field sobriety tests were done on the driver that slammed into the Lyft.
Indiana Code 9-30-7-3 states:
“A law enforcement officer shall offer a portable breath test or chemical test to any person who the officer has reason to believe operated a vehicle that was involved in a fatal accident or an accident involving serious bodily injury.”
WRTV Investigates has requested any disciplinary actions against the officers involved as well as the body camera footage from the crash. We are still waiting to hear back.
