Press Release from County Attorney Brad Miller’s Office
Florence, AZ — Pinal County Attorney Brad Miller announced that Ronald Keith Howard, age 64, has pleaded guilty in Pinal County Superior Court to all charges stemming from a fatal drunk driving crash that claimed the life of a pregnant mother and her unborn child. The plea comes as part of an indictment filed late last year, following a thorough investigation by the Arizona Department of Public Safety.
On December 23, 2024, Howard, a repeat DUI offender, was found to be operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of .303, just under four times the legal limit. The defendant was driving eastbound on US60 between mileposts 204 and 215, when he brought his vehicle to a stop on the right-side emergency shoulder. Prior to the collision, Howard began to accelerate his vehicle into the eastbound lanes of the US60, into the path of a vehicle being driven by a man and his wife who was the passenger. Howard’s vehicle crossed the lane entering the lane occupied by the victims. The victim took evasive action to the left to avoid Howard’s vehicle, but the vehicles ultimately collided. Tragically, both the passenger and her unborn child died at the scene. The woman was 17 weeks pregnant at the time of the collision. The driver also incurred serious physical injuries due to the collision.
“This case represents a heartbreaking and senseless tragedy in our community,” said County Attorney Miller. “A young mother and her unborn child are gone because of a selfish, reckless decision by someone who knew better — and who had multiple prior DUI convictions. This guilty plea is a step toward justice, but no sentence can ever make up for the lives lost. I want to thank the Arizona Department of Public Safety for their hard work and diligence in this case.”
Ronald Howard pled guilty to the full indictment, including charges of:
- Two counts of Second Degree Murder, both Class One Felonies
- One count of Aggravated Assault, a Class Three Dangerous Felony
Howard faces a maximum of 65 years and a minimum of 10 years in the Arizona Department of Corrections. The sentencing range for each second degree murder is 10–25 years and the range for the Aggravated Assault is five to fifteen years.
Sentencing is scheduled for July 1, 2025, in the Pinal County Superior Court by Judge Fuller. The County Attorney’s Office will be seeking consecutive sentences to ensure the defendant spends the rest of his life in the Department of Corrections. Prosecutor Stephen Bridger, “This is a reminder that a choice to drink and drive can have horrific consequences, ruining the lives of innocent families.”
“Our thoughts remain with the victim’s family, who have shown extraordinary courage throughout this painful process,” added Miller. “We will continue to prosecute DUI offenders aggressively to prevent such tragedies from happening again.”
The Pinal County Attorney’s Office is dedicated to prosecuting criminals, promoting justice, to ensure public safety throughout the county. Led by Brad Miller, a seasoned prosecutor with over 17 years of experience, the office is defined by its commitment to integrity and excellence. Brad Miller brings a distinguished record of public service to the role, including his tenure as a prosecutor in the Sex Crimes Bureau of the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office and his service as a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Marine Corps Reserve. With a staff of over 180 professionals, the office prosecutes more than 2,500 felonies and 1,000 misdemeanors annually and provides over 25,000 services to crime victims, standing as the cornerstone of justice for Pinal County.
