Crime & Safety
Driver Pleads Guilty In Crash That Killed 3 Falls Church Kids
The driver could face up to 36 years in prison for the crash that killed three siblings from Falls Church in December.
PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD—A driver has pleaded guilty in the drunk driving crash that killed three Falls Church children and injured their parents in Prince George's County, Maryland on Dec. 30, 2018.
Thomas Hawks, 27, of White Plains, Maryland could face a maximum sentence of 36 years in prison, The Washington Post reported. He will be sentenced on Sept. 26 in Prince George's County court.
Prosecutors say Hawks drove at nearly 70 mph in a 45 mph zone when his vehicle rear-ended the Mejia family's car, which had been stopped for a red light on Indian Head Highway. The children, 5-year-old twins Alexander and Rosalie Mejia and 1-year-old Isaac Mejia, died instantly in the crash, and their parents Alexis and Juanita Mejia went to the hospital in critical but stable condition.
Find out what's happening in Falls Churchfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Hawks's blood alcohol concentration was reportedly more than twice the legal limit in Maryland. Prosecutors say Hawks admitted to drinking 10 beers at a Washington Redskins game before the crash. The Mejia family had just been leaving church.
The children's parents expressed relief that the case was almost over, as the guilty plea prevents a trial. The Mejias recently marked what would have been the twins' 6th birthdays at their graves.
Find out what's happening in Falls Churchfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The parents of Alexander, Rosalie and Isaac Mejia speaking now. They say they are grateful the court proceedings are finally almost over. They say they fought for justice for their children. Juana Mejia pleading with drivers to be more careful on the roads, don't drink and drive pic.twitter.com/cVudTSdcr4
— Brad Bell (@ABC7Brad) July 1, 2019
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