Bond Denied For Man Charged With DUI Death Of Sisters

May 16, 2018

Tuesday afternoon, a judge ordered a man accused of two counts of DUI manslaughter held without bond as he awaits trial for the death of two girls in Pace.

The Florida Highway Patrol said 35-year old Kailen Kelly of Pace, was traveling at a high rate of speed when he crossed into another lane on Woodbine Road and slammed his 2008 Ford pickup head-on into a 2010 Buick driven by 39-year old Melanie Harrell of Pace. . Stormie P. Harrell, 7, and Michaela D. Sidney, 17, were killed. Melanie Harrell and 18-year old McKenzie Murphy were hospitalized but have been released.

Kelly will remain in jail until his trial begins in July.

Testimony Tuesday morning indicted Kelly’s license was suspended until April 2018 — reinstated just days before the crash — after he refused to submit to a DUI test in Okaloosa County in 2017. His past includes threatening a person with a firearm and discharging a firearm in Escambia County and two prior DUI convictions.

He had a blood alcohol level of .149, had marijuana in his system and refused a breath test after the double fatal crash May 6, according to testimony. He showed no remorse, and a 12 pack of beer was found in his truck.

Kelly is facing charges of 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.

Pictured top: Kelly’s vehicle following a double fatal crash. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Comments

3 Responses to “Bond Denied For Man Charged With DUI Death Of Sisters”

  1. Trocarman on May 16th, 2018 4:47 pm

    Hope he gets the death penalty. Kelly is useless.

  2. Laura Murff on May 16th, 2018 2:42 pm

    I’m so happy to see bond denied good job judge! We need more judges like this.

  3. Duke of Wawbeek on May 16th, 2018 1:19 pm

    A menace to society.

    At least one judge has their head screw on correctly/