The Crash
Jason, Shannon and Ruby were west bound on Reno in the far-right lane. The drunk driver was south bound on Rockwell, also in the right lane. According to the computer on the kids car, they were traveling 46 mph. The speed limit is 50 mph. Their light changed to green as they approched the intersection.
The drunk driver, according to crash recreation was traveling 90 mph in a 45 mph zone. His light was solid red when he approached the intersection. He never touched his brakes.
The Drunk Driver
The driver in our case has never expressed responsibility, so I give it for him by saying his name every time I speak. Demetrius Jarrod Price.
At 11:20 pm April 6, 2015 he drove that car with a BAC at the time of the crash of a .25. He also had Marijuana, Vicodin and other intoxicants in his system. He advised the police officer at the scene he had done nothing wrong. His light had changed from RED to YELLOW and he accelerated to get through the yellow.
We were told he had a Juvenile Record that started at age 12 with a felony burglary. He went on to commit approximately 11 juvenile felonies.
His first adult felony was in December of 2011. He tried to sell a stolen gun to a pawn shop. January of 2012, burglary. February of 2012, he had a shank under his mattress while in jail. The judge heard these cases together and gave him a 10 year deferred sentence. Demetrius Price had never been incarcerated for any of his previous crimes, but he felt he deserved ANOTHER chance to change.
In 2014 he was picked up with drugs with the intent to distribute. He also gave the police a false name at the time of arrest. The judge let him out on a $5,000 bond.
He was due in court on this charge April 12, 2015. But this 22 year old boy didn't make it. He was in jail for committing his 16th, 17th and 18th felony. Murdering Jason, Shannon and Ruby.
Sentencing on all Crimes.
On May 28, 2015 Demetrius Price was Sentenced to serve the 10 years for the deferred Sentence he had been given just 2 1/2 years earlier.
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On May 10, 2016 the sentence for Jason, Shannon and Ruby as well as the drug charges was handed down.
Clif and I had attended every hearing. We prayed he would get at least 1 life sentence for Ruby. I knew the counts ran Count 1, Jason. Count 2, Shannon and Count 3 Ruby and then the charges for the drugs. I couldn't breathe, I could feel Clif shaking as the judge began to give the sentences.
He started with the words, "You have been given enough chances. All sentences will run consecutive to the deferred charges. Count 1, LIFE. Count 2, LIFE, Count 3, Life. Count 4 25 years. ALL consecutive."
He began his first life sentence March 23, 2024.