Scene of the collision on September 12, 2023. Photo courtesy of Yuba County

YUBA COUNTY, CA (MPG) - Yuba County Judge Benjamin Z. Wirtschafter sentenced Clara Ann Delong this morning to serve four years in prison for Gross Vehicular Manslaughter While Intoxicated and Hit and Run Driving Resulting in Death of Serious Injury to Another. Delong pled no contest to the charges on November 8, 2023, as part of a plea agreement with the Yuba County District Attorney.

Delong, a 23-year-old resident of Wheatland, was driving her Chevy Silverado truck home from Top Golf in Roseville on September 12, 2023, when she turned left on Spenceville Road into an oncoming motorcycle ridden by Ken Glass. Glass, a 40-year-old father, and Wheatland resident was killed in the collision. Delong fled the scene on foot and was later determined to have a blood alcohol content of .10%.

Wheatland Police Department Officer Luke Gonsalves investigated the crime with assistance from the Yuba County Sheriff’s Department. Deputies quickly located Delong at her nearby home and took her into custody. Officer Gonsalves determined that Delong had consumed roughly six Twisted Iced Teas while at Top Golf, before driving home. Delong was booked into the Yuba County Jail, where she has remained in custody since the incident.

The sentencing was held in the gymnasium of Wheatland High School in front of the junior and senior classes. “We all agreed to hold the sentencing in the high school in the hope that it will impact the students and prevent at least one DUI fatality in the future,” said District Attorney Clint Curry. “I am thankful to Judge Wirtschafter for agreeing to move his courtroom to the gym so we can try to reach these kids.”

Yuba County Sheriff’s Deputy Matt Arnold walks Clara Delong out of the gym on her way to prison. Photo courtesy of Yuba County

Chief Deputy District Attorney Shiloh Sorbello prosecuted the case on behalf of the People and handled the sentencing hearing. Ken Glass left behind a wife, three daughters, and many other grieving family members who were present for the hearing. Delong sat next to her attorney, Geoff Heitman, throughout the sentencing with her head down. She agreed to be sentenced at the high school, hoping that the students might learn from her mistake. She was escorted out of the gym at the end of the sentencing to be delivered to the state prison.

Chief DDA Shiloh Sorbello captured the mood at the hearing, remarking that no amount of prison time will ever make up for the loss of Ken Glass, but hoping that the sentencing would save lives in the future.

Thank you to Wheatland High for allowing the students to see up close the devastation caused by drinking and driving. Thank you to Arrive Alive California Inc. for facilitating the assembly. Thank you to the personnel from the Wheatland Fire Department and Bi-County Ambulance Service who tried to save Ken Glass. Thank you to the officers and deputies for their excellent investigation.

Finally, we pray for Tasha Glass and the three daughters she was left to raise. Rest in Peace, Ken Glass.

Clara Delong and her attorney Geoff Heitman sit as Yuba County Judge Benjamin Z. Wirtschafter sentences Delong to four years in state prison. Photo courtesy of Yuba County