CASPER — A 20-year-old Casper man pleaded guilty in Natrona County District Court on Wednesday to driving drunk and leading police on a high-speed chase at over 100 mph before crashing and nearly killing himself and two passengers last August.
Phillip Angel Gaspar reached an agreement with Natrona County Chief Deputy District Attorney Blaine Nelson to plead guilty to two counts of driving under the influence with serious bodily injury and one count of aggravated eluding.
Under the agreement, a minor in possession charge will be dropped.
Marty Scott, Gaspar’s attorney, stated that he would advocate for the Department of Corrections’ youthful offender program at sentencing.
Both DUI charges carry penalties of up to ten years in prison and fines ranging from $2,000 to $5,000. The eluding charge can result in up to five years in prison.
Gaspar, who appeared before District Court Judge Daniel Forgey wearing glasses, an orange jumpsuit, and shackles, pleaded guilty to the three charges and respectfully answered the judge’s questions about the case, admitting he was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash.
“Were two other people seriously injured in the crash?” Forgey asked.
“Yes, sir,” Gaspar replied.
A 20-year-old passenger suffered traumatic brain injuries and fractures in his pelvis, sternum, and back. A 19-year-old passenger suffered traumatic brain injury, pelvic and back fractures, and lung issues as a result of the trauma.
Gaspar also admitted that he attempted to flee police following an attempted traffic stop.
According to a police affidavit in the case, Gaspar and his two passengers stole beef jerky from the Loaf ‘N Jug store on the 1900 block of 2nd Street around 1:15 a.m.
At 2:20 a.m., the 911 dispatch center received calls reporting a broken window on South Forest Drive and the occupants of a dark-colored car driving away from the scene at high speeds.
Second Call
A second 911 call to the South Forest Drive location at 3:12 a.m. described a male who looked like the one who stole the beef jerky from the Loaf ‘N Jug, according to the affidavit. Another 911 call came in at 3:51 a.m., reporting three males harassing customers at the Loaf ‘N Jug on Curtis Street in Evansville.
According to the affidavit, the harassment escalated into a physical altercation, with two of the three males beating up on the third male. The trio drove away in a black car at high speed.
About an hour later, a Casper police sergeant spotted the suspect near Beverly Street and Yellowstone Highway. It turned on Yellowstone, traveling east at speeds of around 100 mph.
A Natrona County Sheriff’s Office sergeant on Yellowstone observed the vehicle approaching her at high speed before slowing down and coming to a stop next to her at a red light.
She tried to pull over when the light turned green, but the maroon-colored Malibu sped away on Interstate 25 northbound.
She followed them with lights on, accompanied by Evansville Police Department officers and another NCSO deputy.
“Although pursuing vehicles were traveling at approximately 95 mph, the Malibu was still pulling away from police vehicles,” according to the warrant.
The Malibu exited at Bryan Stock Trail and F Street. When officers arrived, they discovered it crashed on the west side of the intersection of F Street and Bryan Stock Trail.
Injuries
According to the affidavit, Gaspar was driving, with another 20-year-old in the front passenger seat and a 19-year-old in the back seat.
All three were taken to Banner Wyoming Medical Center for treatment. Gaspar awoke as he was being removed from the vehicle and told officers his name.
In addition to the serious injuries to his passengers, Gaspar fractured his ankle, right leg, rib, and vertebra.
Nelson told the court on Wednesday that it was “remarkable that people lived through this.”
The subsequent investigation uncovered video evidence linking the trio to previous incidents at the Loaf ‘N Jugs and residence.
The investigation also turned up a video of them purchasing Olde English “800” 40-ounce malt liquor from Casper’s Moonlight Liquors, according to the affidavit.
During his initial police interview, Gaspar admitted to driving and having “drank a little that night.” His alcohol level was 0.136%. Wyoming’s legal intoxication limit is 0.08% or higher.
Scott asked the judge to consider lowering Gaspar’s $75,000 bond to $25,000 cash or surety.
Nelson argued that the higher bond was appropriate, and that after the crash, Gaspar left the state for California. He stated that his bond had already been reduced from $85,000 to $75,000.
Scott responded that when his client traveled to California, there was no warrant for his arrest. He also informed Forgey that Gaspar’s father lives in the city.
Forgey agreed to reduce the bond amount to $50,000 cash or surety. He stated that he would order a pre-sentence investigation.
