Ocean Springs man to serve 17 years in DUI causing death conviction

An Ocean Springs man will spend 17 years behind bars after pleading guilty in a DUI causing death case.

David Thomas Pelkey, 30, pleaded guilty this week to driving under the influence causing death and driving under the influence causing injury before Circuit Judge Randi P. Mueller. He was sentenced to 25 years with eight suspended and 17 to serve, as well as five years of probation.

On January 23, 2021, Biloxi Police responded to a crash on Interstate 10 near the Woolmarket exit. They found Pelkey, and two victims. One was injured and the other, Richard Gann, 41, of Ocean Springs, died at the scene.

Witnesses told police that Pelkey was driving at a high rate of speed and hit the victims’ car from behind. Pelkey told officers he tried to swerve to avoid the vehicle but hit it.

Pelkey underwent a blood alcohol test that showed he had a BAC of .124. Accident reconstruction also showed Pelkey’s cruise control was set at 96 mph at the time of the crash.

“The Defendant’s actions that night took an innocent life and injured another. We hope this conviction and sentence will help these victims and their families in their healing process”, said District Attorney Crosby Parker.