Victims Impact Statement

to the court regarding the sentencing of Lonnie Ray Hylton for the deaths of

Daniel J. Hanson and Kent Fisher.

Photo: Dan's Memorial Service August 10, 2008

 

Statement from: Mark L. Hanson

Father of, Daniel J. Hanson and Uncle to, Kent Fisher.

 

Dan and Kent were first cousins who spent their entire lives living within reach of each other's shadows. As freckled faced kids they grew-up together. As young men Dan and Kent both chose to start out their lives here in western Montana. They were roommates and the best of friends right up to the evening of August 4^th, 2008, when Mr. Hylton driving drunk, eastbound in a westbound lane of I 90, and without even his headlights on to caution them. He hit them head on. Dan was driving the Subaru station wagon and he did not have a moments warning, nor a second to act to save them.

Dan was killed on impact at the scene. He was 25 years old and leaves behind a five year old sister and five brothers. Six days after his death, on Sunday, August 10^th, more than one hundred of Dan's friends and family gathered from all across the country in Alberton, Montana, to celebrate and memorialize Dan's life.

Eight days after the altercation, two days after we buried Dan, on Tuesday, August 12^th, Kent died from the extensive and traumatic injuries he sustained from Mr. Hylton in the head on collision. Kent was 20 years old and leaves behind one brother. So, on Sunday, August 17^th, we all gathered -as we had just done on the previous Sunday- this time to celebrate and memorialize Kent.

I can only write that the impact of that tragic string of events, over those two weeks, in August will never be forgotten. And, without a doubt, inflicted indescribable pain and suffering on everyone touched by the lives of Dan and Kent.

Dan was, undoubtedly, the glue who held all of his siblings together. Dan always made time for each of them. Now, without his presence, the bonds between his brothers and sister are forever altered, their lives will never be connected in the same way again. At the time Dan died, he was taking care of his younger brother, who really needed Dan's supervision and guidance. In the eyes of his little brother, Emmett, Dan will remain the larger-than-life superhero for among other things, sharing his childhood collection of video games with him. To Maggy, his only sister, Dan had promised many future matinée movies. Promises he will never be able to keep. To his great credit, once Dan moved to Montana he made every effort to stay in contact with his two little brothers in Pennsylvania. They were never far from Dan's thoughts and he looked forward to the day they could come and stay with him in Montana.

Dan also set a great example to all of us by being willing to strap on his electrician's tool belt and help with home repairs for any friend or family in need. But more than anything Dan loved the wild places in Montana and he loved sharing his time in the outdoors with his friends and family. Dan enjoyed Montana's rivers and streams, remote hot springs, fresh huckleberries and the fact that he could grow a garden and have a campfire in his own backyard. For this reason my wife and I created this Memorial website for Dan.

As Dan's father, I was more than pleased to be able to provide Dan with the opportunity to live in Montana, graduate from high school here and watch him become the fine young man he was destined to be. I was so proud of Dan. One of the last times I saw Dan he came to tell me he had taken a job with the same union I have been a member of for many years. It was a new beginning for Dan. He was looking forward and feeling very positive about his future prospects in Montana. We all assumed this was only the cusp of what would be a long life and prosperous career with many bright days ahead.

Once Kent arrived in Montana it was rare to see one without the other. Kent and Dan were just about inseparable. I will always remember them, side by side, pilot and copilot, inside that maroon colored Subaru traveling around Montana. Who could have ever foreseen they would both come to harm, in that very car, by a reckless drunk driver in such a heinous way?

Unfortunately, I can only characterize Mr. Hylton as being negligent and acting in total disregard of the well being of other people. To add insult to injury, since the deaths of Dan and Kent, Mr. Hylton's actions have only magnified the depth and breadth of our pain over this tragedy. For ten months Mr. Hylton has remained obstinately silent and uncooperative. He has put his own civil rights above our families right-to-know what happened on the day of August 4^th, 2008. Though it won't change the outcome, it would have advanced our healing if Mr. Hylton would have been willing to extend the truth, as he knows it, of the events of that day, which led to the untimely deaths of these two fine young men.

In closing, Mr. Hylton's decision to use the Alford Plea and not hold himself accountable or express remorse for his actions has caused us further anguish. In light of all of these facts it is my opinion the court should sentence Mr. Hylton to the full extent the law allows.

 

 

Respectfully,

Mark L Hanson

May 12, 2009

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This memoriam website is provided by Dan's Dad, Mark L Hanson.

If you would like to drop Mark a line and share a memory of Dan you may email him at: unionman@montana.com or write Mark at: P. O. Box 17245 Missoula, MT 59808