Man Sentenced to 9 Years For Crash That Killed Clothing Designer

SANTA ANA (CBS/AP) — A Costa Mesa man was sentenced to nine years in prison for his part in the street-racing crash that killed TapouT Clothing Co. founder Charles "Mask" Lewis Jr.

Jeffrey David Kirby, 51, was convicted of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated for the crash on March 11, 2009. Lewis' Ferrari crashed into a utility pole while street racing with Kirby, who was driving a Porsche.

Kirby fled and was arrested several minutes later. Prosecutors say Kirby had a blood-alcohol level of nearly twice the legal limit two hours after the crash. Kirby had a previous DUI conviction in 2002.

A woman who was ejected from the Ferrari was injured in the crash. A woman in the Porsche was initially arrested on suspicion of public intoxication.

Lewis founded TapouT in 1997.

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