Drunk driver convicted of murdering two Washington high school students

SEATTLE – On Friday, a judge sentenced 37-year-old Delfino Lopez-Morales to more than 12 years in prison for killing two teenagers in 2023.

Riley Danard and Khalea Thoeuk drove to West Seattle in March 2023. The two best friends were on their way to celebrate Danard's 18th birthday.

During sentencing, prosecutors said Lopez-Morales was driving the wrong way on the West Seattle Bridge and was going 100 miles per hour when he hit the teen mark.

“I work in West Seattle and every time I cross that bridge I think about how my brother and his best friend were killed because they tried to celebrate his birthday,” said Danard's sister Kallista.

Several family members and friends of Danard and Thoeuk spoke during the emotional hearing.

Lopez-Morales' family also spoke during the sentencing, and his defense attorney asked the judge for leniency, citing Lopez-Morales' regret and willingness to plead guilty to the charges.

“It hurts me to know that I hurt someone. It was not my intention to hurt anyone,” Lopez-Morales said.

During her sentencing, Judge Angela Kaake told Lopez-Morales that a bad decision does not make a person bad, but also said his recklessness had destroyed the lives of many families.

She sentenced him to more than twelve years in prison.

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