Cranston Man Sentenced to 3 Years for Fatal DUI

The Cranston man charged with driving under the influence, death resulting, after a crash in South Kingstown last year that killed a Harrisville woman has been sentenced to three years in prison.

Zachary Kahan, 24, of 39 Lantern Lane, Cranston pleaded no contest today before Superior Court Justice Melanie Thunberg for the September 8, 2012 DUI crash that killed 24-year-old Tanya Chabot of Harrisville. 

Kahan was sentenced to 10 years with 3 years to serve and the remainder suspended with probation. He was fined $5,000 and ordered to complete alcohol counseling as well as pay restitution for medical expenses. Upon release from the ACI, where he was transported immediately after entering his plea, he will also lose his license for five years.

On September 8, 2012, Kahan and Ms. Chabot attended a wedding together. After the wedding, he was traveling along Moonstone Beach Road in South Kingstown where his vehicle left the roadway and struck a telephone pole. Ms. Chabot died as a result of the trauma sustained in the crash. 

Kahan submitted to and failed three field sobriety tests, and later consented to a blood test that determined his blood alcohol content was .157 at the time of the crash. 

"Simply put, drinking and driving kills. Each and every time someone gets behind the wheel while intoxicated, they are risking the life of others," said Attorney General Kilmartin. "It is frustrating and tragic that we continue to see individuals recklessly and criminally choose to drive drunk when it is so simple to simply put down the drink or hand over the keys to a designated, sober driver.”  

Assistant Attorney General and Chief of the Washington County office Mark Trovato prosecuted the case on behalf of the Office of Attorney General.