Irvine, Orange County - A former executive of Hyundai Motor from Orange County was convicted of felony count of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence while intoxicated (DUI), causing the death of an Orange County man. There is also a sentencing enhancement for fleeing the scene and hit-and-run after the crime.
Youn Lee, of Irvine, fled to South Korea after the accident. He was extradited back to Orange County this year.
According to Orange County District Attorney, Lee is facing sentence to 9 years in prison.
Lee and his office staff attended a company dinner in Garden Grove on Oct. 18, 2005. Lee got on the road after they have drunk 14 bottles of liquor, he was driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI / drunk driving). His lost control of his car and crashed into Cook's motorcycle in Santa Ana. Cook was dead at the scene. Lee fled after the crash.
Orange County District Attorney requested for extradition in September 2008, and Lee was arrested and returned to Orange County in 2009.
