January 24, 2024 — Bryan Taylor, Canyon County Prosecutor, announced today that Charles Mooney, age 74, of Nampa, Idaho was sentenced by the Honorable Thomas W. Whitney for intentionally crashing his car in an attempted suicide.
Charles D. Mooney
Judge Whitney sentenced Mooney to one and a half (1.5) years fixed, followed by one and a half (1.5) years indeterminate, consecutive sentences for six counts of felony Aggravated Battery, and one (1) year fixed followed by one (1) year indeterminate for four counts of Felony Injury to Child, and six months credit time served on Misdemeanor DUI. The Aggravated Battery sentences will run consecutively to each other for a total unified sentence of 18 years in prison. Mooney will serve at least nine (9) years in prison before he is eligible for parole. Judge Whitney also ordered $5,000 dollars be paid to each of the victims.
Mooney took prescription medication, Oxycodone, and deliberately caused a crash at the intersection of Cherry Ln and Middleton Rd in Nampa, Idaho. While under the influence of Oxycodone, Mooney launched his vehicle over an embankment, and his vehicle struck a van head-on, occupied by six (6) members of a family. Mooney made concerning statements at the time of the crash – that he “either didn’t take enough pills or wasn’t driving fast enough.” After the incident occurred September 17, 2022, Mooney was placed on a mental hold for over a year, until the case was finally proceeding to trial on November 13, 2023. On the morning of trial, Mooney pled guilty to all eleven (11) counts.
“I know the family was relieved that they didn’t have to relive this crash in front of a jury.” Prosecutor Bryan Taylor said. “I want to thank my Deputy Prosecutors, Karson Vitto and Patrick Miller, for their work on this case, as well as the deputies from the Canyon County Sheriff’s Office who investigated the crash. This was an extremely dangerous situation, and Judge Whitney did the right thing here.” Prosecutor Taylor also urged anyone struggling with suicidal thoughts to contact the Idaho Suicide Hotline.