Ada County motorist sentenced for hiding in desert after hitting high school student
An Ada County judge sentenced a Boise-area man to prison time on Tuesday for a hit-and-run incident.
In October, a jury found 42-year-old Chad Sizemore, of Kuna, guilty of driving under the influence and leaving the scene of an accident that resulted in an injury, according to court records.
Sizemore was driving a truck in October 2023 when he went into another lane, striking then-17-year-old high school senior Gabriel Bird, of Nampa, who was on a motorcycle, according to Ada County prosecutors.
Ada County sheriff’s deputies found Sizemore hiding in the desert outside of Kuna with alcohol in his system, according to the prosecutor’s office.
“The defendant was driving with a BAC of .125/.126 and has a history of both felony and misdemeanor convictions for driving under the influence,” prosecutors said.
Fourth District Judge Jason Scott gave Sizemore “up to 20 years imprisonment with 9 years fixed before he will be eligible for parole,” the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office said in a news release.
Bird was hospitalized following the crash, according to a GoFundMe created to raise money for his medical expenses.
“The young man suffered severe injuries, including multiple fractures, an injury to a ligament in his knee, and other injuries,” the prosecutor’s office said.
Ada County Prosecutor Jan Bennetts thanked the jury for participating in the three-day trial.
“We sincerely appreciate the jury’s time and attention and the hard work of the Ada County sheriff’s deputies involved in this case,” Bennetts said in a statement.
