A 25-year-old Yukon man pleaded guilty this week to first degree manslaughter in a DUI accident that killed another man. Landon Scott Horn entered his plea as part of a negotiated plea agreement that will allow his sentence to be reviewed and modified after two years in prison.

Horn was under the influence of marijuana and Xanax on June 25, 2015, when his vehicle struck another vehicle on Interstate 44 in Oklahoma City. The collision killed a passenger in the vehicle Horn struck. Police say he admitted to drug use prior to the accident.

Not only was Horn under the influence of drugs at the time of the crash, he was out on bond or a  pending misdemeanor DUI-drug case in Canadian County. In that case, Horn was pulled over on suspicion of DUI in February 2015, and the charge was filed on May 5--less than two months before the collision that claimed another man's life.

In his manslaughter plea paperwork, Horn said, "I drove on a public roadway while intoxicated and caused an accident resulting in the death of a person."

An Oklahoma County District Judge sentenced Horn to 10 years in prison, but as part of the negotiated plea, his sentence will be reviewed in two years. If, at that time, his prison record is found to be satisfactory, prosecutors say they will agree to a modified sentence of four years incarceration followed by six years of probation.

Oklahoma law defines first degree manslaughter as an act of homicide occurring under one of the following conditions:

  • When perpetrated without a design to effect death by a person while engaged in the commission of a misdemeanor (for example, a first offense of DUI is a misdemeanor).
  • When perpetrated without a design to effect death, and in a heat of passion, but in a cruel and unusual manner, or by means of a dangerous weapon; unless it is committed under such circumstances as constitute excusable or justifiable homicide.
  • When perpetrated unnecessarily either while resisting an attempt by the person killed to commit a crime, or after such attempt shall have failed.

First degree manslaughter is punishable by a minimum of four years in prison.