This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
A Logan woman charged as an accomplice to the April 10 alcohol-related crash that took the life of Caffe Ibis co-owner Randy Wirth pleaded guilty Monday to a reduced count of third-degree felony automobile homicide.
Michelle Hoppie, 43, was charged 1st District Court with second-degree felony automobile homicide and class B misdemeanor tampering with an ignition interlock device for letting her boyfriend, Alvin Henson, take her pickup truck to get more beer for an ongoing party.
Hoppie faces up to five years in prison when she is sentenced Jan. 5 by Judge Kevin Allen. As part of plea agreement, the ignition interlock count was dismissed.
In June, Henson, 40, of Millville, was sentenced to prison for up to 15 years after pleading guilty to second-degree felony automobile homicide for the causing the fatal crash.
Wirth, 67 — who co-owned Caffe Ibis Coffee Roasting Co. in downtown Logan with wife, Sally Sears — died two days later.
Just after 7:30 p.m. on the day of the crash, Henson — who had consumed 12 beers and a shot of whiskey — was driving the pickup truck east on 200 South in Millville in a manner described by witnesses as erratic, according to authorities. Near 140 West, Henson's truck crossed into the westbound lanes and hit a Cadillac DeVille.
Somehow, Wirth — who was driving a motorcycle — was also struck during the accident.
Wirth was taken in an ambulance to Logan Regional Hospital. A helicopter then flew him to McKay Dee Hospital in Ogden, where he died.
Deputies responding to the crash immediately recognized evidence of alcohol use with both Henson and his 29-year-old passenger, according to police. The two suffered minor injuries and were taken to Logan Regional Hospital. Prosecutors said that seven hours after the accident, Henson had a blood alcohol level of 0.13 — nearly twice the legal driving limit in Utah
Both Henson and Hoppie have prior records.
In January 2013, Henson pleaded guilty to a DUI, and was sentenced to 12 months probation and two days in jail.
In November 2008, Hoppie pleaded guilty to class B misdemeanor DUI and class A misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance. She was sentenced to a year in jail.