Driver in crash that killed U researcher gets 5 years

Just before he headed to prison, Kevin Roger Doerr turned and waved goodbye to his family, who packed one side of a Hennepin County courtroom.

He didn't make eye contact with the people on the other side. They had watched Doerr closely as a judge sentenced him Thursday to five years for causing a car crash that killed their son, husband, brother and friend.

Doerr, 24, pleaded guilty last month to criminal vehicular homicide in the Sept. 20 death of Ethan T. Johnson, 37, a University of Minnesota research associate.

Doerr admitted he was driving more than 60 miles per hour when his vehicle slammed into the one Johnson was driving in south Minneapolis, fatally injuring him. Johnson's father, Dr. Stephen F. Johnson of Missoula, Mont., was seriously injured. Ethan Johnson's wife, Xena Huff, and his stepmother, Susan Johnson, were treated at a hospital and released.

Doerr fled the scene and was arrested 12 hours later. Witnesses said Doerr was drinking before the crash, according to the charges.

District Judge Richard Scherer noted that the five-year sentence was slightly less than state guidelines because Doerr took responsibility for his actions. He will be eligible for supervised release in three years. A two-year sentence for an unrelated third-degree assault conviction is set to run at the same time.

Susan Johnson read statements on behalf of her husband and Xena Huff. Huff urged Scherer to hand down a "fair and wise" sentence. She also asked that everyone honor her husband by living the way he did.

Johnson, an athlete and musician, shunned cell phones and junk food and commuted year-round on his bike, said his mother, Beverly Smith.

"Make a choice that you believe will honor Ethan the ski racer, not Ethan who was crushed in a car," Huff wrote.

A letter from Stephen Johnson spoke of the emotional and physical trauma he endured that day and since. Not only did he lose his son, but his broken forearm limited his neurology practice. He demanded that the judge place Doerr behind bars for as long as possible.

After listening to the statements, Scherer expressed his condolences to the victim's family. He said he wished he could have known Johnson. He said Johnson clearly was "a wonderful member" of the community.

Doerr declined to say anything, but his attorney, Jane Imholte, pointed out that he does not ask for sympathy from Johnson's family. She said Doerr "goes to prison with a heavy heart" because of his crime.

Scherer turned to Doerr and looked him in the eye.

"I hope it dawns on Mr. Doerr how his actions affected people," he said.

Abby Simons • 612-673-4921