Drunk Driver Who Killed 27 Freed
By MARK R. CHELLGREN
10:01 PM ET 09/01/99
LA GRANGE, Ky. (AP) The man convicted in the nation's deadliest drunken driving
accident, a fiery, head-on collision that killed 27 people on a church bus, was released
from prison Wednesday after 9 years and is free to get another driver's license.
Larry Mahoney, 46, was driven away in the back seat of a car, carrying his
belongings in two brown paper bags. He said nothing. ``It is my impression that he
wants to blend back into society,'' said state police Lt. Henry ``Sonny'' Cease, who
investigated the 1988 crash that led Kentucky to tighten its standards for school buses.
``I think he's done the time that was dealt to him and it's time to move on.''
Mahoney was driving his pickup truck the wrong way on an interstate when he
smashed into a bus carrying home 67 people from a church outing at an amusement park. The
bus' gas tank ruptured, and flames engulfed the front section. Mahoney's blood alcohol
content was .24, more than twice the level of intoxication in Kentucky of .10.
The former chemical plant worker was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to
16 years in prison but got time off for good behavior and taking courses.
After the wreck, Kentucky changed its specifications for school buses, requiring
them to have flame-retardant seats, fuel tank cages, push-out windows, left-side emergency
exits and escape hatches in the roof. Federal law had already required fuel tank cages on
buses manufactured after 1977.
Ford, which made the bus chassis, quickly settled with 65 of the 67 families
affected by the crash, reportedly for at least $36 million. Two other families later
accepted settlements as their case was going to trial.
After Mahoney was turned down for parole in 1997, he chose to serve out his
sentence and left prison with no restrictions or reporting requirements. He can even get a
driver's license. Kentucky law does not prohibit convicted felons from driving, even those
convicted of causing a drunken driving-related death. Driving records are expunged after
five years of no incidents. State Rep. Rob Wilkey, who unsuccessfully sponsored
legislation last year to increase penalties for drunken driving, said that after someone
serves his sentence, he should be able to make a living, and driving is almost a necessity
to hold down a job. But he added: ``In light of his release, that is an issue we in the
General Assembly ought to look at.''
Mahoney is believed to be staying with his parents, who live in his former
hometown of Worthville not far from the crash, which took place outside Carrollton.
``Larry Mahoney, no matter what he is labeled, should be grateful he can go back
to some sort of a normal life,'' said Karolyn Nunnallee, whose 10-year-old daughter Patty
was the youngest victim to die.
Mrs. Nunnallee became a crusader after the accident and is now national
president of Mothers Against Drunk Driving. She said she is not angry at Mahoney, but
troubled by the system that gave him only 16 years.
She said she wishes Mahoney would use his experience for the good of others:
``If he can prevent it from ever happening again, he could save lives.''
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