Drunken Trucker Convicted Of Wanton Murder In Death Of Commonwealth’s Attorney Doug Wright
By Kenton County Commonwealth’s Attorney Rob Sanders
Hon. Douglas Wright
Congratulations to Commonwealth’s Attorney Linda Tally Smith (Boone/Gallatin) and Commonwealth’s Attorney Jim Crawford (Grant/Owen/Carroll) for the successful prosecution of Daniel Keith Gabbard for the Murder of Commonwealth’s Attorney Douglas Wright in Pendleton County. Wright was crushed to death when Gabbard’s semi tractor crossed the yellow line and ran over Wright’s car.
Prosecutors Linda Tally Smith & Jim Crawford
Gabbard admitted to consuming 16 beers while operating his commercial vehicle before striking Wright. Over an hour after the crash, Gabbard’s blood alcohol content (BAC) was still .18. The legal limit is .08 for passenger vehicles but only .04 for commercial vehicles. A jury deliberated for 2 1/2 hours before finding Gabbard guilty of the highest possible charge. The same jury then recommended that Gabbard serve 20 years in prison. Under Kentucky law, Gabbard must serve 85% of his sentence (17 years) and is not eligible for “good time” in prison.
Wright, 48, served as Commonwealth’s Attorney for Pendleton, Robertson, Harrison, and Nicholas counties since 2006. Wright leaves behind a wife, a 20 year old son, and a 13 year old daughter. “Doug was a great prosecutor and a great friend,” said Kenton County Commonwealth’s Attorney Rob Sanders. “I know Linda and Jim put a tremendous amount of work into this case and, with the eyes of Commonwealth’s Attorneys around Kentucky on the trial, they did a fabulous job,” said Sanders.