EVANSVILLE, Ind (WEHT) The man driving the car that crashed into the back of a vehicle, killing three people has been sentenced. Damon Busby had pleaded guilty to three counts of reckless homicide. He was sentenced to six years probation, the first four years will require an electronic monitoring device.
The crash happened back on September 21, 2020, at Hwy 41 and Covert Ave. Authorities say an SUV was struck from behind by a pick-up truck driven by Busby. The SUV then crashed into the car in front of it, and the SUV went up in flames. Evansville Police say Busby was speeding on 41 and ran a stoplight at the intersection of 41 and Riverside Dr. before the crash.
Three people in the SUV died: Crystal Lawrence, 36, of Evansville, along with her 15-year-old daughter Abigail, and 6-year-old son, Chase.
Busby’s sentence was read in front of a packed courtroom, full of Lawrence’s friends of family, some of whom believe Busby should’ve been sentenced to time in prison. Lawrence’s mother, Melody Tabor, says that while nothing will bring back her daughter or her grandchildren, she believes Busby got a “slap on the wrist” for his role in the accident.
Tabor says the past year was tough for her, her family, and Lawrence’s son, who recently turned 18. Tabor says she is outraged by the decision but adds she will need to forgive Busby. Tabor says “God’s not about hate,” also saying she can’t hold that hate in her heart.
