A North Texas man has been sentenced to a decade in prison following a fatal street racing crash in 2022 that resulted in the deaths of three individuals.
Nelson Ramirez, now 21, faced the victims’ families before his sentencing, where he had the opportunity to request leniency. Ramirez was 19 at the time of the crash in River Oaks, where he collided with another vehicle at what police described as an extremely high speed.
During the sentencing hearing, family members and friends of the victims—Cindy Griffin, Madison Lake, and Bishop Kline—shared their emotional impact statements. Effie-Sue Bates Kelly, Kline’s mother, spoke of the profound devastation and ongoing struggle since losing her son.
“It’s devastated us. We’re still trying to cope with it,” Kelly expressed, reflecting on the loss of her son, whom she described as her best friend.
Kelly strongly opposed Ramirez’s defense team’s plea for probation, emphasizing the irreparable loss of three lives.
“Three people are dead. I mean, they’re dead, in a box,” she stated.
Cindy Griffin’s father also recounted the harrowing scene on the night of the crash, describing the heartbreaking sight of bodies covered by sheets and emergency responders working tirelessly.
In his own defense, Ramirez addressed the court, expressing remorse and highlighting personal growth since the accident.
“I’m no longer that person I was on the day of the accident,” Ramirez stated. “I believe in my heart that I’ve changed, and I am committed to becoming a better person.”
Following the testimonies and a review of the crash scene footage, the judge delivered a sentence of 10 years imprisonment for each count of manslaughter and racing on a highway causing serious bodily injury. All sentences will be served concurrently.
