February 16, 2010
Man On Trial For Alleged Racing Deaths
HOUSTON - It was a horrific crash that wiped out a family generation and changed countless lives. The man accused of causing the deadliest car accident in Montgomery County history will soon learn his fate.
Closing arguments begin Thursday in the trial of 23-year-old Brandon Ferguson. Five people died in the wreck in January 2009.
Prosecutors allege Ferguson was traveling more than 115 mph and racing in his souped-up Chevy Cobalt when he collided with a van. It happened on Texas 249 at Partridge Circle. Witnesses reported seeing the van safely approach the intersection when the driver of the Cobalt appeared barreling over a hill. Experts say Ferguson was traveling 135 mph when he went over the hill and T-boned the van at 117 mph.
Ferguson was the last person to testify in the trial. He told the jury he knew speeding was wrong but never thought about the consequences. Ferguson added he remembers nothing about the moments leading up to the crash. He suffered serious injuries and walks with a cane.
"The defendant was attempting to catch up to a motorcycle," said Warrent Diepraam, Montgomery County Assistant District Attorney.
Diepraam believes Ferguson was racing. The driver of the motorcycle has never been located. The van Ferguson hit burst into flames, trapping a family from Oklahoma. The family was in town celebrating Curtis Edwards 79th birthday.
Only Karla Sexton survived. S
exton lost her uncle, Edwards, her parents, Lloyd and Catherine Edwards, both 83, and her husband Donald Sexton.
Also killed was Ferguson's passenger and girlfriend Kayla Pratorius, 18.
Prosecutors paint Ferguson as a young man obsessed with fast cars. Diepraam says by age 22, Ferguson had already gotten four speeding tickets.
"He would follow a racing website. He got one car an average of every ten months, and most of those were high performance racing type vehicles," said Diepraam.
On the stand Ferguson showed jurors his injuries and wiped away tears. He testified he hasn't driven a car since the accident.
"Everyday I wish it was me that died and no one else. I understand I have to live with it the rest of my life," said Ferguson.
"I think he only feels sorry for himself. Those were crocodile tears he was shedding because he didn't cry when Karla Sexton was testifying or Kayla's family. He only cried when he got up there to talk about his injuries," said Diepraam.
Diepraam is determined to send a message to Ferguson but an even bigger one to the public, especially those who drive dangerously.
"We're not going to tolerate this sort of conduct in our county," said Diepraam.
If convicted Ferguson faces up to 20 years in prison for each of the five counts of felony manslaughter and one count of aggravated assault he faces.
