An Iowa man has been sentenced to 16 years in prison for a drag-racing crash that left a four-year-old child dead. Keith Eric Jones, a 48-year-old resident of Des Moines, was found guilty by a jury in November of homicide by vehicle, operating under the influence, reckless driving, and knowingly leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death. The sentencing took place on Thursday.
The tragic incident occurred on December 13, 2022, when Jones and another man, Robert Lee Miller III, were involved in a drag race. Prosecutors revealed that both individuals had been drinking at a bar before the incident. The race took place on a four-lane road, and Miller’s car reached a speed of 108 mph. Tragically, Miller’s car crossed over a median and collided with the vehicle of Mayra De Catalan, the aunt of the victim, Marcos Faguada. Marcos, along with De Catalan’s 8-year-old son, was a passenger in the car.
Marcos was rushed to the hospital but succumbed to his injuries. At Jones’ sentencing, Marcos’ mother, Elva Galvan, emotionally expressed her devastation, stating, “As a mother, my heart is broken and I am forever marked because you took my son away from me. I am not the happy person that I used to be.”
In addition to the prison sentence, Jones has been ordered to pay $150,000 in restitution to Marcos’ family. The sentencing of another individual, Robert Lee Miller III, took place earlier, with Miller receiving a 30-year prison sentence for his role in the fatal crash.
This tragic incident serves as a reminder of the devastating consequences of reckless driving and the importance of responsible behavior on the road. It highlights the need for stricter enforcement and awareness campaigns to prevent such tragedies in the future.
The sentencing of Jones and Miller brings some measure of justice to the grieving family of Marcos Faguada, but their loss will forever be felt. The incident serves as a tragic reminder that irresponsible actions can have irreversible consequences.
