A mother is expressing her frustration after a court handed a “light” sentence to the driver who killed her daughter while speed racing through a Portland neighborhood. Jonathan Peña was sentenced to three years in jail for the death of 26-year-old Ashlee McGill. The new Oregon law gives reckless drivers one-year prison sentences, with a maximum of five years for repeat offenders. The victim’s mother, Misty Nicholson, believes the sentence is too lenient to deter others from speeding.
On August 27, 2022, Peña was racing his Mustang at speeds of over 80 mph down Stark Street in Southeast Portland. His car collided with another vehicle, causing him to lose control and crash into McGill, who was waiting at a bus stop. The impact killed the 26-year-old mother instantly. Peña was hospitalized after the crash and was indicted on a second-degree manslaughter charge, which was later reduced to criminally negligent homicide. He pleaded guilty to the charges during his arraignment. Further charges of recklessly endangering another person and reckless driving were added, both misdemeanors.
Due to time served, Peña was sentenced to 36 months in jail, three years of post-release supervision, and five years’ probation. He was also ordered to pay at least $5,000 in restitution. McGill’s mother criticized Peña’s actions in court, expressing her hope that he would forever remember the harm he caused. She described her daughter as a loving mother with a contagious laugh and a bright smile. Peña, in turn, asked for forgiveness from the victim’s family, stating that he felt responsible for ensuring justice for Ashlee was served.
Peña is the second person involved in McGill’s death to be sentenced. Kenneth Freeman, the driver of the other vehicle in the race, pleaded guilty to criminally negligent homicide and received a five-year prison sentence in September 2023. The incidents surrounding McGill’s death have brought attention to the issue of reckless driving and the need for stricter penalties to deter such behavior. McGill’s family and loved ones continue to mourn her loss and advocate for safer driving practices in their community.
The sentencing of Peña has sparked outrage among community members and advocates for road safety. While the new Oregon law was intended to crack down on reckless driving, some feel that the penalties are not harsh enough to prevent tragedies like McGill’s death from occurring. The case has raised questions about the effectiveness of current laws in deterring dangerous driving behaviors and the impact of lenient sentences on victims’ families. McGill’s story serves as a reminder of the devastating consequences of reckless driving and the need for stricter enforcement and harsher penalties to protect innocent lives.
As the community grapples with McGill’s tragic death and the aftermath of the legal proceedings, there is a renewed call for action to prevent similar incidents in the future. Advocates are pushing for stricter regulations and harsher penalties for reckless driving offenses to prevent senseless tragedies like McGill’s death. The memory of Ashlee McGill lives on in the hearts of her family and friends, who continue to seek justice for her and work towards creating safer roads for all members of the community. The case serves as a sobering reminder of the devastating impact of reckless driving and the importance of implementing measures to protect vulnerable road users.
