Man sentenced to 9 years in biker’s death

A former Irvine resident who fled the country after killing a Fountain Valley man while drinking and driving was sentenced to nine years in state prison Monday.

Youn Bum Lee, 42, was convicted of one felony count of vehicular manslaughter by unlawful act with gross negligence while intoxicated with a sentencing enhancement for fleeing the scene of the crime, according to court documents.

During the sentencing, the family and friends of Ryan Dallas Cook, 23, spoke, according the Orange County district attorney’s office.

“You’ll be sentenced to prison, but you sentenced my brother to death. He’ll never get to know my children, and he’ll never have any of his own,” Cook’s sister, Molly Stallcup, said to the court, according to a release from the district attorney.

Lee consumed several alcoholic drinks at a company dinner with Fountain Valley’s Hyundai Motor America and then at a karaoke bar Oct. 18, 2005.

He got into his black company-issued Hyundai sport utility vehicle after midnight and drove with his headlights off on the freeway. Lee crashed into the center median, rolling his car backward and stopping near Dyer Road on the 55 Freeway.

Cook was riding his motorcycle in the carpool lane and could not stop in time. Cook hit Lee’s SUV and was thrown onto the freeway, where he was run over by several cars. Cook was pronounced dead at the scene.

Lee fled and, in the morning, consulted a co-worker and supervisor, who drove him to the airport. Lee was arrested on a fugitive warrant in Seoul, South Korea, in December 2008 and was extradited to Orange County Jan. 30.

— Britney Barnes