Two drivers involved in a deadly street racing crash will not go to prison. A judge handed down a sentence of probation for both of them.
October 25th, 2015 was a night that changed three families forever. Tim Bell, 37, was racing 17-year-old Corey Ochs on Kimberly Road in Davenport. Their cars collided with another vehicle, killing Erma Mooberry and her husband Ron.
In court on Friday, March 18, 2016, both men showed remorse, apologizing to the victims' family.
"I`m not asking for forgiveness, I don`t believe I deserve that at this time, but I never meant to hurt anyone and for that I am forever sorry," said Ochs.
The judge sentenced them both to three years of probation; a decision even the Mooberry's children supported.
"I’m choosing to forgive you, forgiveness is a decision of the mind, but it’s the journey of the heart," said one of their daughters, Ronda McConnell.
It's also something they say their parents would have done; both Erma and Ron spent their lives as ministers.
"If you would like to honor my parents, the best way that you could do that would be to become the best man of character," said their other daughter, Jody Smith.
If Ochs completes his probation successfully, his felony conviction will be dropped off his record. Bell does not have the option to have his record cleared. Both will have to each pay $150,000 in restitution.