Man confined to home for crash deaths

AMITE — A judge sentenced a Holden man to five years in-home incarceration Monday after he pleaded guilty to negligent homicide and hit-and-run driving, according to the 21st Judicial District Attorney’s Office.

Jake Kiefer, 26, of Browns Lane, was identified as the driver of a black Cadillac Escalade that crashed into a vehicle on Interstate 55 near Ponchatoula on April 10, 2010, killing Carl and Carrie Vorenkamp of Hammond, Assistant District Attorney Angel Monistere said in a news release.

Kiefer fled the scene without stopping and was arrested nine days later, Monistere said.

The damage to his vehicle already had been repaired, resulting in an obstruction of justice charge. Kiefer pleaded no contest to the obstruction charge.

Kiefer’s trial was scheduled to begin Monday when he changed his plea, District Attorney Scott Perrilloux said.

Judge Zorraine Waguespack sentenced Kiefer to five years with the Department of Corrections for negligent homicide and 10 years each for the hit-and-run and obstruction counts, Perrilloux said.

The sentences were suspended, and Kiefer was placed on five years of probation to be served on in-home incarceration.

He also must pay a $10,000 fine and $25,000 in restitution, Perrilloux said.

“There was no plea agreement or offer from the District Attorney’s Office,” Perrilloux said. “Sentencing is always a function of the judge.”

Comments

1) Comment by NewsReader - 05/02/2013

Kiefer definitely has some clout. Read his prior arrest record on actionnews17's website. Driving under suspension disappeared. DUI charge disappeared. Non-show for another violation, disappeared.

2) Comment by Whatnow - 05/02/2013

Is Judge Zorraine Waguespack related to Kiefer?

3) Comment by Bouncer - 05/02/2013

Yeah, that'll teach him his lesson.

4) Comment by tradewinns - 05/02/2013

the judge must owe this criminal or his family something big time. i hope he is removed in the next election. regardless of how low on the totem pole of life these two people were, they didn't deserve to die due to his negligence. (if the real truth was known, i'd be betting he was also drunk, wonder if the police checked out his doings before the accident)

5) Comment by speakthetruth - 05/02/2013

Something stinks here. I know this is Louisiana and drinking and driving is accepted as part of our culture, but come on!!!! He killed two people. He was 22 or 23 when this happen. He was driving a $50,000 vehicle, the vehicle was fixed within 9 days!!! No plea deal was offered by the D.A. and he gets a lenient sentence (do you really think he is going to stay in his house for 5 years). Oh, and I'm sure he will be very comfy surrounded with all his toys. Its obvious somebody helped him after the murder and somebody got to this judge. The Advocate should be asking somebody, I would start with the judge, a lot of questions. This kid will kill again. With two prior drinking and driving arrests and he walks free, where is the outrage. Why isn't the press all over this.

6) Comment by jdk944 - 05/02/2013

So he kills two people, flees the scene, repairs his vehicle and the judge gives him "home" time?? Really?? What is wrong with this picture??