Pinal County Attorney Announces that Defendant will Spend the Rest of his Life in Prison for the Double Murder of an Unborn Child and Mother
News Source: Pinal County Attorney‘s Office
Florence, AZ — Pinal County Attorney Brad Miller announced today that Ronald Keith Howard, age 64, has been sentenced to 50 years in the Department of Corrections. Howard pleaded guilty in Pinal County Superior Court last month to all charges stemming from a fatal drunk driving crash that claimed the life of a pregnant mother and her unborn child late last year.
“This was a devastating and entirely preventable tragedy that took the life of a young mother and her unborn child,” said County Attorney Brad Miller. “While nothing can restore what was lost, today’s sentence holds the defendant accountable and affirms our commitment to pursuing justice on behalf of victims and their families. I would also like to thank the Department of Public Safety, Detective Neil Osborn for the thorough investigation and Deputy County Attorney Stephen Bridger for his work to deliver justice in this case.”
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.
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
“This sentence reflects the seriousness of the defendant’s actions and the irreplaceable loss suffered by the victim’s family and community,” said Miller. “Our office will continue to aggressively prosecute cases involving impaired driving, particularly when they result in the loss of innocent life.”
The Pinal County Attorney’s Office extends its deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the victims. We hope this sentencing provides a measure of closure and justice.
