This archive report was first published on 7 August 2019.
On Valentine's Day last year, the McCoy family was driving on Route 25 in Suffolk County, Long Island, when a stolen 2018 Chevy Camaro, driven by Jamel Turner, a member of the Bloods street gang, crashed into their Mazda at 154 miles per hour, nearly four times the speed limit.
The collision killed all four passengers in the McCoy family's car, including Jacquelyn McCoy, 55, Mary Alice Booker, 36, Anthony McCoy, 33, and Tameka Foster, 42, as well as a passenger in Turner's car, Lonidell Skinner, and Turner's dog, Prince.
Turner, who was high on marijuana at the time of the crash, initially lied to the police about his identity and claimed he was not the driver.
He later pleaded guilty to charges related to the five deaths and a serious injury to the driver of an oil truck, who is still recovering from his injuries.
At Turner's sentencing on Tuesday, Suffolk County District Attorney Timothy Sini criticized Turner for refusing to leave his jail cell, saying it was 'pathetic' that he did not have the 'courage to show up in court.'
Justice Fernando Camacho sentenced Turner to 27 years in prison, warning him that if he did not show up as ordered, he would risk losing his plea deal and be sentenced to life in prison.
