Reckless driver gets 14 years for fatal crash; family of victim says sentencing is a slap on the wrist

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A Milwaukee man who killed a 30-year-old while fleeing police will spend 14 years in prison.

Robert Jones was sentenced Tuesday morning, Aug. 27 but the family of his victim says he got a slap on the wrist. In February, 41-year-old Jones was fleeing police when he ran a red light and T-boned 30-year-old Amari Smith.

Jones pleaded guilty to fleeing after operating a car that resulted in the death of another and possession of a firearm by a felon in exchange for his hit-and-run charge being dismissed. He was sentenced on Tuesday.

Members of Smith's family addressed the court.

"He took his life. You killed him. He's not here anymore and we're here to suffer with that loss every day," Amari Smith's grandmother Shirley Challender said.

Smith's mother, Shanita Hill, directed her words at Jones, who sat on the other side of the courtroom.

"This was not supposed to happen. He had nothing to do with anything you had going. He was not involved with your choice," Hill said.

The state recommended incarceration but left the amount of time up to the judge. Jones apologized for his actions.

"There are no words that could explain the grief I have caused you guys," Jones said.

Taking into account the facts and the impact the loss of Smith, who was studying to be a barber, will have on the city, Judge Jeffrey Wagner sentenced Jones to 14 years of initial confinement and eight years of extended supervision.

Before ruling, Judge Wagner read a community impact statement he 100 percent agreed with.

"The community will not tolerate this kind of behavior, that reckless drivers must be held accountable for their actions, not just to serve justice for the victims but to deter other offenses," Judge Wagner said.

Despite the judge's sentiment, Smith's family told CBS 58 they wanted to see Jones behind bars for 25-30 years to keep others from reckless driving.

"My house is still empty. I'm still alone. I don't know if that's justice or not. I can't tell," Hill said. "In 10 to 15 years or so he's still going to be able to get out here, work. Make a difference. How? I don't know, but to me, this still, this right here, [my son] still won't be able to do anything."

In his memory, Smith's family will continue pushing for harsher penalties for reckless driving and imploring the community to think twice when behind the wheel of a car.

"Take consideration that you're not the only one on the street," Callender said.