Authorities Seek Info On Pace DUI Crash That Killed Child, Teen

May 9, 2018

Authorities are continuing to investigate a fatal crash that claimed the life of two girls Sunday, and they are seeking anyone that may have information.

The State Attorney’s Office said Wednesday morning that Kailen Alan Kelly, 35, was first seen at the boat ramp on Quintette Road shortly before 5:30 p.m. Kelly was driving a grey 2008 model Ford F-150 pickup truck.

A deputy with the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office was driving eastbound on Quintette Road in Pace on routine patrol when Kelly’s vehicle passed him in a no passing zone. He turned on Woodbine Road and minutes later crashed head-on into a Buick driven by 39-year old Melanie Harrell of Pace. Harell’s Buick came to rest in a ditch, while Kelly’s pickup overturned into a ditch on the opposite side of the road and ignited into flames. Stormie P. Harrell, 7, and Michaela D. Sidney, 17, were killed. Melanie Harrell and 18-year old McKenzie Murphy were seriously injured and transported to Sacred Heart Hospital.

Kelly was charged with two counts of DUI-vehicular manslaughter, DUI with serious bodily injury to another, refusing to submit to a DUI test after license suspension, reckless driving, fleeing/eluding police and other traffic offenses. He remains in the Santa Rosa County Jail without bond.

The State Attorney’s Office is in the process of filing a motion for pretrial detention; if granted, Kelly will remain in jail without bond until the case goes to trial.

The State Attorney’s Office is asking for anyone having information about this case to contact Investigator Billy Wheeler at (850) 981-5503. Anyone having video regarding this case is requested to provide a copy to investigators.

The continuing investigation is being conducted by the State Attorney’s Office, Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Highway Patrol.

Comments

6 Responses to “Authorities Seek Info On Pace DUI Crash That Killed Child, Teen”

  1. Jody on May 11th, 2018 9:59 pm

    Maximum sentence for vehicular homicide is 15 years. A man in escambia county was sentenced in November for ramming his truck into my dear friends home and illinf her instantly. He was unconscious at the time for huffing. I pray he gets 30 years for both these innocent lives he took plus maximum for the other charges as well. It is beyond my ability to fathom the death of a little girl and a her sister about to venture into her adult life. My God when will this stop?

  2. MR REALITY on May 11th, 2018 2:01 pm

    sadly, he will be free before the 7 year old would of grad high school.

  3. Mathew Phil on May 10th, 2018 2:45 pm

    Judge, Sir……. if you let him out, you MAY as well sign his death certificate. For HIS safety…… keep him under lock and key

  4. hollie on May 9th, 2018 9:26 pm

    He needs the death penalty. After all the previous charges he still chose to break the law and risking other lives. He has no care in the world for any life. Prayers for the Families of the injured and the loved ones lost.

  5. keep him there on May 9th, 2018 3:55 pm

    he needs to stay right where he’s at and never see the light of day. He’s a murderer. The family will never see their daughters again and honestly the death penalty should be his punishment as well. The people he may have been partying with should be a part of it too. They shared responsibility for this. Prayers still going out for the Harrell family. Good folks who deserve better.

  6. Shelley on May 9th, 2018 10:34 am

    He SHOULD remain in jail without bond! Obviously he doesn’t respect the law nor has he learned from previous charges and I can’t imagine if he was given bond that this time would be any different!

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News