KINGMAN – A lengthy prison term is mandated in a plea agreement for a two-vehicle collision resulting in two deaths and multiple injuries in Mohave Valley. The plea deal for Tyler Keller, 25, Mohave Valley, was entered at the Mohave County Law and Justice Center in Kingman on Tuesday, Jan. 14.
Deputy County Attorney James Schoppmann said the drivers of both vehicles had been drinking at Grass Beach on the Colorado River before they motored home separately on Laguna Drive in the dark on April 14, 2023. He said the 1999 Dodge Durango SUV driven by Keller ran into the back of the utility task vehicle (UTV) operated by Michael Burke, 26, at about 8:00 p.m. in the vicinity of Aviation Drive.
Schoppmann told Judge Doug Camacho that the UTV caught fire following the collision that ejected all six people from the UTV. Burke, his brother Robert Burke, 27, Michael Burkeís wife Ashley Wright, 27, and their daughter Octavia (now 6) survived their injuries.
Schoppmann said Octaviaís twin brother Roman Burke, 5, and Robert Burkeís wife Lylian Galves, 23, died of their injuries following hospital transport.
Background information from the Mohave County Attorneyís Office (MCAO) indicated that investigating Fort Mojave Tribal police officers observed multiple open containers of alcoholic beverages on the driverís side floorboard of the Durango. The factual basis document indicated that Keller admitted drinking five Coors Banquet beers and Schoppmann added that his blood alcohol test reading of .114 was above the legal limit a couple of hours after the collision.
Keller pleaded guilty to two counts of manslaughter, four aggravated assault charges and driving under the influence. Terms of the plea deal require Judge Camacho to impose a 14-year prison term followed by post-release supervised probation.
The MCAO said Burke also admitted drinking before driving the UTV and was placed on probation after pleading guilty to DUI.
Dave Hawkins
