Man Sentenced to 12 Years for Drunkenly Killing Bride-To-Be

By Marianne Madden

Published on September 22, 2006

The man, Kevin Kraft, pleaded guilty to one count of vehicular homicide for the death of Arlene Gavrilis, 25. Kraft hit Gavrilis’ Volkswagen Beetle with his truck on June 4, 2005, in the early hours of the morning – the same day she was to wed her fiancé, Adam Hawkes. Kraft was speeding at 87 miles per hour when he hit Gavrilis, who was returning home after some last-minute alterations to her wedding dress. The dress was found in the wreckage of her car.

It wasn’t the first time Kraft was caught driving impaired. He has a long list of driving convictions – at least 10 dating back to 1996. Prior to this most recent accident, Kraft served 90 days in jail after being convicted of DUI. Kraft’s misbehavior has proved resistant to both probation and rehabilitation.

Hawkes and Gavrilis’ brother asked for Kraft to receive the maximum sentence – 12 years – given his prior convictions. Hawkes refused to accept Kraft’s tearful courtroom apology to Gavrilis’ family, and said he was satisfied with the length of the sentence.

Kraft, however, may not serve the full sentence, as he is eligible for early release on good behavior.

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