The incident took place as the three teens were driving around in a pickup truck after loading it up with landscaping rocks taken from a Walmart. They were later arrested after Alexa Bartell was hit by a rock while driving and talking on the phone with a friend. The friend tracked Bartell’s location and found her dead in her car, which had crashed into a field. Investigators determined that Bartell was killed by the rock and not the crash itself. Prosecutors have accused all three teens of throwing rocks at passing cars, resulting in Bartell’s death and injuries to three other individuals.
Zachary Kwak, one of the three teens involved in the incident, pleaded guilty to reduced charges under a plea agreement. The deal requires him to cooperate in the prosecution of the other two teens, Nicholas “Mitch” Karol-Chik and Joseph Koenig, who are still facing first-degree murder charges in Bartell’s death. Kwak pleaded guilty to first-degree assault in Bartell’s death, acknowledging that his actions created a grave risk of death. He also pleaded guilty to second-degree assault and attempted second-degree assault in the cases of rocks being thrown from their truck that injured three other individuals. In exchange for his guilty pleas, prosecutors dropped more serious charges, including first-degree murder, against Kwak. He faces between 20 and 32 years in prison and will be sentenced after the trials of Karol-Chik and Koenig.
Karol-Chik and Koenig have both pleaded not guilty to the charges against them. Karol-Chik’s lawyer declined to comment on the plea deal or the allegations against her client, while lawyers representing Koenig did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The trials for Karol-Chik and Koenig are scheduled to proceed separately before Kwak’s sentencing on September 3. The plea agreement with Kwak includes his cooperation and potential testimony against the other two teens still facing charges in Bartell’s death.
The case has sparked outrage and raised questions about the teenagers’ motives and actions that led to Bartell’s tragic death. Prosecutors have emphasized the seriousness of the charges against the three teens, highlighting the impact of their reckless behavior. The plea agreement with Kwak marks a significant development in the case, with prosecutors seeking justice for Bartell’s death and holding all responsible parties accountable for their actions. The upcoming trials of Karol-Chik and Koenig will shed further light on the details of the incident and the roles played by each of the accused individuals. The sentencing of Kwak will also provide closure and justice for Bartell’s family and loved ones, as they continue to mourn her loss.
