ST. LOUIS – Daniel Riley, the St. Louis man who caused a February 2023 crash that cost Janae Edmonson her legs, has been sentenced.
Riley was convicted March 7 of second-degree assault, fourth-degree assault, armed criminal action and operating a vehicle without a valid license. Jurors had recommended a sentence of nearly 19 years in prison.
St. Louis Circuit Court Judge Michael Noble agreed with the jury’s recommendation and sentenced Riley to 18 years and 9 months in state prison.
Before sentencing, the Edmonson family approached the court to file a victim impact statement in court. Janae wore prosthetic legs and used a cane to help her walk.
Janae’s mother, Francine, read the statement with Janae’s father, James, who supported his wife and daughter.
Francine worked her way through the letter, keeping her tears and emotions in check. She said Janae endured an incredible level of trauma the night of the accident and continues to deal with a lot of pain.
“She was seconds away from dying right in front of us on the street,” Francine said. “Her legs were completely cut and she was bleeding.”
Immediately after the accident, Francine tried to keep Janae calm and alert while James applied a tourniquet to one of her legs.
Janae was in town with her parents on February 18, 2023 to participate in a volleyball tournament. They were walking in downtown St. Louis when Riley’s SUV hit Janae and slammed her into a parked car.
Riley had been speeding just moments before the accident. Prosecutors say that as Riley passed a yield sign at the intersection of St. Charles and North 11th streets, a Chevrolet Malibu struck Riley’s SUV, sending the SUV into the air and into Janae.
“His will to live was much greater than what Daniel Riley could do to him,” Francine said.
Francine praised her daughter’s resilience in surviving the accident and her ongoing rehabilitation, but lamented that Janae was carrying a huge burden that she shouldn’t have to bear.
“When you see (Janae) smile, it hides her sadness. This hides his physical pain. It hides a lot of emotional pain that she feels,” she said.
“She doesn’t complain about certain things. Why is she doing this? Because she knows that her misfortune would be far too heavy a burden for us and the rest of her family. She takes responsibility for her own pain and hides it so that the people she loves don’t suffer.
Thanks for recording!
Watch for us in your inbox.
Subscribe now
Riley had nothing to say before Judge Noble read the sentence. Riley also refused to testify during his trial.
Riley was out on bond at the time of the crash in an ongoing theft case, even though he had repeatedly violated the conditions of his release.
Riley’s attorney requested a new trial on April 3, alleging that the St. Louis Circuit Court made several legal errors against his client. Judge Noble denied the motion for a new trial during the sentencing hearing.
For the latest news, weather, sports and streaming videos, visit FOX 2.
yahoo
