SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – 18-year-old Damion Laurelez appeared in court for the third day in a row this week. It’s part of a multiple day hearing to decide whether he’ll be tried as an adult or a juvenile when it comes to a deadly crash that happened in April.
The prosecution called 8 witnesses to the stand in court on Wednesday.
Officer Jeff Gillespie with the Sioux Falls Police Department told the judge the 2004 Dodge Durango was traveling at almost 80 miles per hour, just seconds before it hit a Sioux Falls home.
He said the vehicle was driving east on 18th Avenue. Video footage shown in court shows sparks flying from underneath the car as it “bottomed out” before Laurelez attempted to brake. He said tire marks in the road could be seen beginning on the east side of 1st Avenue.
Leading up to the crash, he said the car began to rotate sideways from its high speed. The SUV then crossed the intersection at 18th Street and 2nd Avenue, striking a tree and house. Through the investigation, the officer told the courtroom the car spun counter-clockwise about one and a half times, ejecting several people. Laurelez had no driver’s license at the time of the crash.
Two passengers inside the car, Milana Reeves and Eric Hopkins, died at the scene.
Officer Gillespie told the judge their deaths were because of the operation of the SUV. He added the front two seatbelts looked to not have been worn properly and that Reeves appeared to have been wearing a lap belt.
A medical examiner also testified and said there was no chance of survival for either of the victims given their injuries.
Staff at the Minnehaha County Juvenile Detention Center were also in court. One staff member said he recalls most of Laurelez’s behavior as “rude” while he was there. Another testified to an incident in July at the JDC when Laurelez spit on two staff members while yelling derogatory words at them.
Laurelez was transferred to the Minnehaha County Jail in August when he turned 18. A jail employee said he received a major write up after punching another inmate in the ribs for not completing a work out like they agreed upon.
Laurelez’s probation officer testified that he would show up to most scheduled meetings. He said he also did some community service.
The hearing will resume in Minnehaha County Friday morning.
