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Family of DUI Victim Hopes for Justice Today

March 7, 2003

Jim Walsh - The Arizona Republic

Since the horrible September morning when a drunken driver killed a Mesa firefighter's wife, her daughter proves every day that she resembles her mother far more than in mere appearance.

Brandy Johnson, 19, assumes many of Robin Johnson's motherly duties, babysitting for sister Sierra, 9, making sure the fourth-grader does her homework, eats balanced meals and gets plenty of sleep.

"She's the funniest little kid," Brandy said. "She says, 'I kind of feel like you are a really mean big sister or a really cool mom.' "

Everyone in the busy Johnson household agrees that Robin, 41, cannot be replaced. They merely do the best they can to help out.

It will be a great relief, however, when another chapter in their ordeal closes today with the expected sentencing of Poya Richard Reghabi, 21, for manslaughter.

Robin's husband, Gary Johnson, 42, said he is glad Reghabi pleaded guilty, sparing his family a trial that would force them to relive Robin's death.

But Reghabi has benefited from a favorable plea bargain, Johnson said. He hopes Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Alfred Fenzel will sentence Reghabi to the maximum 10 1/2 years in prison.

"It wouldn't be fair if he (Reghabi) spent less time in jail than Sierra got to spend with my mom," Brandy said.

Without the plea deal, the sentencing range for manslaughter is 7 to 21 years in prison.

"On some days, I feel extremely sorry for him," Gary said. "On the next day, I feel an extreme amount of anger for what he's done to me and my family."

Gary misses sharing his shift's adventures with his wife. He misses her companionship. He misses everything about her.

"Nothing's the same," he said.

Robin was on her way to work at Home Depot at about 3:30 a.m. on Sept. 2 when Reghabi ran a red light at University Drive and Gilbert Road. Mesa police said his blood alcohol content was 0.179 percent, more than twice the level at which Arizona drivers are presumed to be under the influence.

Robin's pickup truck spun and slammed into a tractor-trailer, killing her. Gary's engine company was called to the wreck, but he wasn't on duty.

Robin's death has turned Gary, Brandy and her brother, Ryan, 18, into warriors against drunken driving. Gary remembers how difficult it was as a firefighter responding to fatal accidents even before it hit so close to home.

"It's horrific for us, not even knowing the people, going to the scene," Gary said. "To be a victim makes it 10 times worse."

He is working with the Mesa police traffic enforcement unit to have the name, age, occupation and blood-alcohol content of everyone convicted of driving under the influence published in newspapers. He hopes the embarrassment and shame will provide another deterrent.

"It's not for revenge. It's not for spite. But we want people to think, 'Do I want my name in the paper or should I call a taxi?' " Gary said.

Brandy hopes to become a victim's advocate, lobbyist on drunken driving issues, or an attorney for Mothers Against Drunk Driving. She considered becoming a prosecutor but wants to focus on prevention.

"If I can think of one word to describe my mother, it's selfless," Brandy said.

But selfless also is a good word to describe Brandy, who juggles her family responsibilities with the demands of being a sophomore at Arizona State University.

Her babysitting, with help from Ryan, allows Gary to continue working as a firefighter.

"I feel like in the last six months, I've grown up so much. I feel much older than a 19-year-old," Brandy said.

How you can help. If you think you see an impaired driver, the Governor's Office of Highway Safety recommends you:

Memorize the license plate of the vehicle and which state it is from.
• Note the color, make and model of the vehicle.
• If possible, count how many occupants are in the vehicle.
• If you have a cellphone, call 911 or the number of the nearest police or highway patrol station.
• Advise the dispatcher of a possible impaired driver.
• Provide him or her with a brief description of the dangerous driving.
• Provide your own name and number in case the arresting officer needs more information.
• Do not confront the dangerous driver if he or she stops.
• Do not drive in an unsafe manner in an attempt to keep up with the impaired driver.

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