FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
| Date: | October 18, 2022 |
| Contact: | Emily Lowe Public Information Officer 208-287-7700 |
| RE: | State v. Dalton Leonard – Sentencing |
BOISE – On Oct. 13, 29-year-old Dalton Leonard was sentenced to jail and probation for vehicular
manslaughter after causing a multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 84 that killed 27-year-old Julia
Goodwin.
On the morning of May 11, 2021, Mr. Leonard was driving east on Interstate 84, when he cut in
front of and struck a semitrailer hauling 65,000 pounds of lumber. This forced the semitrailer out of
its lane, where it went through the freeway’s median, struck another semitrailer, and burst into
flames. Nine vehicles, not including Mr. Leonard’s, were involved and damaged during the collision.
All west and eastbound lanes of the interstate were blocked for much of the day. Ms. Goodwin
received life-threatening injuries because of the crash, and later died from her injuries.
Mr. Leonard was found to have THC, the main psychoactive compound of marijuana, in his blood at
the time of the crash. In August 2021, he was charged with felony vehicular manslaughter,
aggravated driving under the influence, and misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance and
drug paraphernalia with intent to use. In June 2022, the defendant pled guilty to felony vehicular
manslaughter.
Honorable Ada County District Judge Patrick Miller sentenced Mr. Leonard to 90 days in jail with
the option of work release, and 10 years of probation. Judge Miller also ordered the defendant’s
driver’s license be suspended for three years.
“I extend my sincerest condolences to Ms. Goodwin’s family,” said Ada County Prosecutor Jan
Bennetts. “The severity of the crash scene that day pulled the Idaho Transportation Department,
Ada County Paramedics, and multiple law enforcement agencies from all over Ada County to help,
and I appreciate all their work that day. Thank you to the Idaho State Police for their hard work
handling this investigation.”