PHOENIX (November 16, 2012) – Michael John Jakscht (D.O.B. 7/4/63) has been ordered to spend 26 years in the Arizona Department of Corrections for killing four people and injuring five others in a March 2010 collision with ten motorcyclists and three other vehicles. Under terms of the sentence imposed by the Honorable Joseph C. Welty, Jakscht will receive credit for approximately two-and-a-half years of incarceration time already served.
“While today’s sentence provides a measure of justice for the survivors and families of the victims of this horrible event, nothing can erase the suffering or replace the loss of innocent life caused by this defendant’s criminal actions,” said Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery. “This case underscores the determination of my office to vigorously prosecute and hold accountable people who drive while impaired and cause such irreparable harm,” he added.
At roughly 1:00pm on March 25, 2010, Michael Jakscht was driving a 1996 Volvo dump truck eastbound on Carefree Highway when he failed to control the vehicle and collided with ten motorcycles and three other vehicles that were stopped at a red light at North 27th Drive. Three of the motorcycle riders died at the scene and one died later in the hospital. Five other riders were transported to local hospitals with serious or critical injuries.
Police who responded to the scene reported that Jakscht displayed multiple signs and symptoms of impairment, including a high pulse rate, dilated pupils and poor performance in field sobriety tests. A blood sample analysis showed that Jakscht was impaired by central nervous system stimulants, specifically methamphetamine and amphetamine. There was no evidence of pre-impact braking. Throughout his contact with police on the day of the collision, Jakscht did not show any concern or remorse for the injuries and deaths he caused.
On April 8, 2010, a Maricopa County Grand Jury indicted Jakscht on four counts of manslaughter, five counts of aggravated assault and seven counts of endangerment. After a 29-day trial, the jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict and a mistrial was declared on August 18, 2011. Judge Welty ordered a directed verdict of not guilty on three of the endangerment counts and a retrial on the remaining 13 charges began on June 4th, 2012. After a three-week trial and three days of deliberations, a jury convicted Jakscht on all counts.
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