HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — The families of Hannah Parton and Arlene Valasquez, the two women killed in a 2021 crash, watched Monday as Jacobs Stephens pleaded guilty to reckless murder and assault.
“It will weigh heavily on our hearts till, you know, till we leave this earth,” said Sheila Smith, the mother of Hannah Parton. “But we needed, this chapter needed to close.”
Stephens signed a plea agreement that would send him to prison for 30 years. According to the grand jury indictment, Stephens was impaired and driving the wrong way on the interstate when he struck the two cars head-on, killing the two women.
“All I’m here to do now is celebrate Arlene and celebrate Hannah for the rest, you know, every time there’s a holiday, it’s hard without them,” said Roger Parton, the father of Hannah Parton. “It’s hard, but we’re going to honor them. That’s what we’re here for.”
Smith and Parton spoke in front of the court on Monday, explaining how difficult the loss of their daughter has been. More than three and a half years have passed since the crash.
Parton said two sweet women were lost that day.
“Today, we would like to thank the District Attorney’s Office, Attorney Ben Gibbons, Attorney Taylor Poe and Investigator Nicks for the job they’ve done on behalf of these families and on behalf of Madison County to try and make our roads safer,” said Huntsville Attorney Will League.
Now that Stephens has been sentenced, the families plan to file a civil case against him.
“We intend to pursue the civil case to the full extent of the law,” said League. “There are several factors that we’re going to look into and based on the excellent work by the police department to document it and prosecute, this case helps us significantly in our civil case.”
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