A drunk driver who killed a mother and son blamed them for the accident in newly-obtained audio shared as the double-killer pleads for parole.
Kesley Pope, 24, is begging to be freed just three years after she mowed down Season Dow, 43, and Dow’s 16 year-old son Toby in Orem, Utah, on Halloween 2021.
But earlier this week, it was revealed she’d agreed with her dad that the Dows were partly to blame for their own deaths by running out of gas on Interstate 15 on the evening of their deaths. Season and Toby had pulled off the road and onto the shoulder of the freeway when they were struck.
Speaking 17 days after the smash, Pope’s dad Jefferson could be heard blaming the deceased while on the phone with his daughter: ‘They’re some at fault already with them being on the freeway out of gas, that’s against the law.’ Kesley answered ‘Yeah’, according to KUTV.
Kesley Pope, 24, was convicted and sent to prison for killing Season Dow, 43 and her son Toby, 16, in a deadly crash while driving her dad’s truck under the influence of alcohol on Halloween 2021
Jefferson Pope, can be heard blaming the deceased while on the phone with his daughter: ‘They’re some at fault already with them being on the freeway out of gas, that’s against the law,’ – to which Kesley agreed
The fatal wreck happened on Interstate 15 in Utah County as Season and Toby were headed home after attending a concert in Salt Lake City
Kelsey struck a markedly more contrite tone during her hearing earlier this week.
‘I cannot even put myself in your guys’ family position as I’ve tried so many times it’s so impossible, it’s so impossible,’ she said
‘And my heart hurts for you and your family so, so much. My selfish decision broke your innocent family, and I wish I could take it back every single day.’
A request to turn around and face the Dows as she spoke was denied.
The newly-unearthed call with the victim-blaming also reveals the intoxicated driver’s ‘relief’ as the deadly accident was her first offense.
‘I’m just so glad that it’s my first offense ever,’ she told her father.
He replied: ‘Oh yeah, you’re so lucky there, I mean it’s life changing.’
Kesley responded stating that she’s only 22 years old to which her dad responds, ‘It’s your first offense, they always are nice to first offenders.’
The husband and father of the deceased, Christian Dow, spoke at the hearing, sharing he felt she wasn’t at all remorseful or assuming accountability for her heinous wrongdoing.
‘It doesn’t seem like any accountability has been taken from the Pope family on this issue. They were blaming my family for that accident saying it was their fault and not taking any responsibility or accountability.’
The 16-year-old was driving when they ran out of gas before Kesley – who was two times over the legal limit – plowed into their car, which was off the road and on the shoulder of the freeway
The impact then spun the car into the freeway immediately killing Season while Toby was taken by helicopter to a hospital where he later died
In prison, Kesley has displayed several acts of disobedient behavior having been ‘written-up’ enough times to fill an entire page, one of five parole board members, Blake Hills, stated at the hearing
Kesley was charged with two counts of automobile homicide and second-degree felonies following the incident
He added the fact that Kesley ‘was drunk driving a vehicle with no insurance.’
Dow elaborated on how he feels ‘Kesley needs to stay in prison for ten years and take accountability’ as his family is ‘ trying to put the pieces back together the best that we can.’
The fatal wreck happened on Interstate 15 in Utah County as Season and Toby were headed home after attending a concert in Salt Lake City.
The 16-year-old was driving when they ran out of gas before Kesley – who was two times over the legal limit – plowed into their car.
The impact then spun the car into the freeway, immediately killing Season while Toby was taken by helicopter to a hospital where he remained on life support before succumbing to his injuries.
Kesley was charged with two counts of automobile homicide and second-degree felonies following the incident.
In prison, Kesley has displayed several acts of disobedient behavior having been ‘written-up’ enough times to fill an entire page, one of five parole board members, Blake Hills, stated at the hearing.
Hills said it would likely take a month before a decision is made.
All five parole board members will decide as to when the killer will be granted parole.
