Michael Scott Kelley dies in fatal Nevada County DUI crash
Michael Scott Kelley dies in fatal Nevada County DUI crash
Fatal Nevada County DUI crash death of Michael Scott Kelley – Obituary
A man from Antelope, Michael Scott Kelley, was sentenced to serve 36 years to life in prison for his role in a DUI accident in Nevada County that claimed the lives of four members of a North Highlands family. This tragic incident occurred three years ago, as the family was traveling for a Thanksgiving getaway.
Last week, Kelley, 35, received his sentence in Nevada Superior Court after admitting guilt to four counts of second-degree murder related to the crash that happened on November 20, 2021. The collision resulted in the deaths of Antonio and Brittney Montano, both 29, along with their children: 9-year-old Marianna and 5-year-old Antonio. The couple’s toddler son survived but sustained severe injuries.
According to reports from the California Highway Patrol, Kelley was driving a Jeep the wrong way on Interstate 80 when it collided head-on with the Montanos’ Honda Civic. The accident occurred early in the morning near Eagle Lakes Road while the family was en route to the Grand Canyon, as detailed in a Gofundme set up by their family.
Prosecutors indicated that Kelley had entered the freeway outside of Truckee, heading the wrong direction, before crashing into the Montano family’s vehicle. An investigation revealed that Kelley was driving under the influence, with a blood alcohol content more than double California’s legal limit of 0.08%.
Following the incident, the District Attorney’s Office filed a criminal complaint against Kelley on November 22, 2021, initially charging him with gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated. However, an amended complaint later added four counts of second-degree murder along with a charge of gross vehicular manslaughter.
Prosecutors explained that the second-degree murder charges were warranted because Kelley had a previous DUI conviction in 2019, where he had been warned of the severe consequences of impaired driving. California courts caution DUI offenders that they could face murder charges if their actions lead to fatal accidents.
Jesse Wilson, the District Attorney of Nevada County, described the 2021 crash as one of the most heartbreaking cases he has encountered, noting that this senseless act has left a profound void for those impacted, serving as a grim reminder of the risks associated with impaired driving.
Michael Scott Kelley dies in fatal Nevada County DUI crash Fatal Nevada County DUI crash death of Michael Scott Kelley – Obituary A man from Antelope, Michael Scott Kelley, was sentenced to serve 36 years to life in prison for his role in a DUI accident in Nevada County that claimed the lives of four…
Michael Scott Kelley dies in fatal Nevada County DUI crash Fatal Nevada County DUI crash death of Michael Scott Kelley – Obituary A man from Antelope, Michael Scott Kelley, was sentenced to serve 36 years to life in prison for his role in a DUI accident in Nevada County that claimed the lives of four…