DUI Driver Gets Life For Crash That Kill Two Sisters In Pace

September 25, 2018

A Santa Rosa County man was sentenced to life in prison Monday for the DUI manslaughter death of two girls in Pace.

Kailen Kelly, age 35  of Pace, was traveling at a high rate of speed May 6 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 injured.

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 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.

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

Comments

9 Responses to “DUI Driver Gets Life For Crash That Kill Two Sisters In Pace”

  1. Tasha on September 25th, 2018 6:50 pm

    @bowhunter

    He got life with out the possibility of parole.

  2. Stop the killings on September 25th, 2018 4:00 pm

    Drunk drivers cause as many deaths as “guns” yet there is no movement to ban alcohol. I commend the judge for putting Kelly in prison for life.

  3. Trocarman on September 25th, 2018 3:33 pm

    Kelly was a real piece of work. A drunk driving an auto with no respect for the lives of others. He should have been killed, not the precious innocent girls.

  4. Bowhunter on September 25th, 2018 2:32 pm

    Did He Get Life With No Parole Or Life For Twenty Or So Year’s Till Prison Over Crowded

  5. Hobbs on September 25th, 2018 10:57 am

    Good!!! Hope you enjoy your new home!! You deserve it!!

  6. A Alex on September 25th, 2018 8:17 am

    Matchbox, you mean,MAY HE NEVER DRIVE ON THE STREETS AGAIN
    His rap street is certainly a coffin nailer

  7. Tasha on September 25th, 2018 7:52 am

    So happy he will never be able to hurt anyone again.
    Also…..
    Can we correct Michaela’s name.
    It is Sidney Michaela Dowdy.

  8. Bob C. on September 25th, 2018 6:03 am

    @ Matchbox

    Exactly 100% Agree with You.

  9. Matchbox on September 25th, 2018 3:29 am

    May he never walk the streets ever again….

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News