Deadly DUI: Teen Who Killed Wildomar Woman Sentenced

MURRIETA, CA — A Murrieta woman who was only 17 when she crashed — while drunk and high on cocaine — into another motorist, inflicting fatal injuries, was sentenced to prison last week, police announced Thursday. A judged handed down a 4-year prison sentence to Taylor Suzanne Channel in the death of 26-year-old Leah Jean-Lacher Reay of Wildomar.

Though Channel was still a minor at the time of the 2017 wreck, prosectors pushed for her to be tried as an adult. In September, a juvenile court judge ruled that the girl should indeed stand trial as an adult, according to Murrieta Police.

Then on Jan. 26, Channel pleaded guilty to felony vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence while intoxicated.

"Victim Impact statements were read in court by Leah Reay's parents, her husband, Kevin, Kevin's parents and Leah's best friend," police said of the plea.

Reay's life was cut short and Channel's forever changed on the evening of Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017. It was a rainy night and the region was in the middle of a downpour.

An on-duty Murrieta police sergeant, in the area of Murrieta Hot Springs and Whitewood, saw the tragic events unfold.

"The Sergeant observed a silver Chrysler 300, being driven by Taylor Channel, also traveling westbound [on Murrieta Hot Springs], run a red light at Whitewood at a very high rate of speed," police said in a news release. "In addition to the red light violation, there was additional concern due to a very heavy period of rainfall and the roadways being flooded."

The sergeant tried to catch up to the Chrysler, which Channel was driving, police said. However, he couldn't get her attention as he was "too far back."

The teen kept speeding in the downpour and eventually ran a red light at Alta Murrieta and Murrieta Hot Springs, according to police.

"Twenty-six-year-old Leah Reay, driving a Toyota Yaris, was making a left turn on a green light from eastbound Murrieta Hot Springs to northbound Alta Murrieta when she was struck by the Chrysler 300 in the intersection," police said. "The impact killed Leah on impact."

Police later learned that Channel was traveling at 84 miles per hour when she slammed into Reay's car, they said. What's more, she "was found to be under the influence of both alcohol and cocaine."

Murrieta Police say they dedicated several weeks of investigative work to this case, and credited Traffic Investigator Jennifer Metoyer and Corporal Matt Embrey for their work. Another dozen police officers, a police chaplain and the CHP were also credited.

"Officers have maintained a close relationship with Leah's family throughout the entire process," police said. "Three officers and a police chaplain attended the final court proceedings to maintain our support for the family."

Raey, a nurse, was described as a caring soul who dedicated her life to helping others.

"She had the perfect life and everything was going as planned, married to her high school sweetheart Kevin, just bought their first home, ready to start their family... until a teenager under the influence, speeding in the pouring rain, ran a red light crashing into Leah's car, taking her life instantly," a fundraising site set up in her honor stated following the wreck. "We will never be the same without you, Leah."

SEE PREVIOUS:

• Deadly Crash: Teen Accused of Drunk, Drugged Driving in Storm, Killing Wildomar Woman

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Image courtesy Murrieta Police Department