A 35-year-old Arizona man has pleaded guilty to two counts of manslaughter after prosecutors say he was driving at 153 mph when he lost control of his Ford Mustang, splitting the car in half and killing his girlfriend and her boyfriend.
Background
The crash occurred around 1:30 a.m. on Nov. 25, 2023, on a road in Tempe, Arizona. According to a criminal complaint obtained by local Fox affiliate KSAZ, police spotted Derek Grey's Mustang traveling at more than 100 mph and attempted to pull him over, but Grey fled from officers.
"Shortly after the Ford Mustang fled from police, a cloud of smoke was seen rising into the air," the complaint stated. When authorities caught up to the vehicle, they found it split in half with two victims ejected from the car.
The victims were identified as 32-year-old Jesse Ruiz and 31-year-old Maria Rangel, who had been dating for approximately a year according to family members.
"She was happy. She was a beautiful soul, and a beautiful person," Max Aguino, Rangel's brother, told local ABC affiliate KNXV.
The Investigation
Investigators determined Grey was driving at speeds reaching 153 mph when he lost control of the vehicle. The Mustang left the road, traveled airborne approximately 9 feet, and crashed into a power pole and two palm trees before disintegrating upon impact.
Rangel was discovered 80 feet away from the wreckage. She was transported to a hospital where she later died. Ruiz died at the scene.
Grey suffered several injuries in the crash, including a black eye, according to court documents.
The criminal complaint alleged that Grey "repeatedly made spontaneous statements indicating he should not have been driving, and that he had been drinking alcohol." He reportedly told investigators he had been at a bar with friends before the crash.
Grey, also known as Derek Glasscock, has pleaded guilty to two counts of manslaughter. He is set to be sentenced on Sept. 23.
Key Takeaways
- Grey was allegedly traveling 153 mph when his Ford Mustang split in half upon impact with palm trees and a power pole
- Both victims, Jesse Ruiz (32) and Maria Rangel (31), were ejected from the vehicle during the crash
- Police attempted to pull Grey over before the crash, but he fled at high speeds
- Grey admitted to drinking alcohol at a bar before driving, according to prosecutors
- He has pleaded guilty to two counts of manslaughter and faces sentencing this month
What's Next
Derek Grey is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 23 on two counts of manslaughter. The court will determine his sentence based on the circumstances of the crash, including the extreme speed at which he was traveling and the loss of two lives.