Disgraceful comment drunk driver, 22, made after killing mother and son is revealed as she begs for parole
A drunk driver who killed a mother and her son blamed them for the crash, according to newly obtained audio clips in which the double killer asks for early release.
Kesley Pope, 24, is pleading for release just three years after she ran over Season Dow, 43, and Dow’s 16-year-old son Toby in Orem, Utah, on Halloween 2021.
But earlier this week it was revealed that she agreed with her father that the Dows were partly to blame for their own deaths by running out of gas on Interstate 15 on the night of their deaths. Season and Toby had driven off the road and onto the shoulder of the freeway when they were struck.
17 days after the crash, Pope’s father Jefferson could be heard blaming the deceased while on the phone with his daughter: “They’re already guilty because they ran out of gas on the highway, that’s against the law.” According to KUTV, Kesley responded, “Yes.”
Kesley Pope, 24, was convicted and sent to prison for killing Season Dow, 43, and her son Toby, 16, in a fatal crash while driving her father’s truck under the influence of alcohol on Halloween 2021
Jefferson Pope can be heard blaming the deceased while on the phone with his daughter: “They’re already guilty because they’re out on the highway with no gas, that’s against the law,” – to which Kesley agreed
The fatal accident happened on Interstate 15 in Utah County as Season and Toby were driving home from a concert in Salt Lake City
Kelsey struck a noticeably more remorseful tone during her hearing earlier this week.
“I can’t even put myself in your family’s shoes because I’ve tried so many times, it’s so impossible, it’s so impossible,” she said.
“And my heart hurts so, so much for you and your family. My selfish decision destroyed your innocent family, and I wish I could take it back every day.”
A request to turn and face Dows as she spoke was denied.
The newly discovered victim-blaming phone call also reveals that the drunk driver felt “relief” as the fatal crash was her first offense.
“I’m so glad this is my first offense,” she told her father.
He replied, “Oh yes, you are really lucky, it changes your life.”
Kesley replied that she was only 22 years old, to which her father replied, “It’s your first offense, they’re always nice to people who have done it before.”
The deceased’s husband and father, Christian Dow, spoke at the hearing and said he felt she showed no remorse and took no responsibility for her horrific crime.
“It seems like the Pope family has not taken any responsibility in this matter. They blamed my family for that accident and said it was their fault, but they did not take any responsibility or accountability.”
The 16-year-old was driving when they ran out of fuel before Kesley – who was driving twice the legal limit – rammed their car, which veered off the road and onto the hard shoulder of the motorway
The impact threw the car onto the highway, killing Season instantly. Toby was airlifted to hospital, where he later died.
Kesley has repeatedly displayed disobedient behavior in prison, so much so that it has been written about so often that it fills an entire page, Blake Hills, one of the five members of the parole board, testified during the hearing.
Kesley was charged with two counts of vehicular manslaughter and second-degree criminal mischief following the incident.
He added that Kesley was “driving a vehicle while intoxicated and without insurance.”
Dow explained that he believes “Kesley should spend 10 years in prison and be held accountable” while his family “try[s]to put the pieces back together as best they can.”
The fatal accident happened on Interstate 15 in Utah County, as Season and Toby were driving home from a concert in Salt Lake City.
The 16-year-old was behind the wheel when they ran out of gas. Kesley, who had been drinking twice the legal limit, crashed into their car.
The impact caused the car to land on the highway, killing Season instantly. Toby was airlifted to hospital, where he remained on life support until he died from his injuries.
Following the incident, Kesley was charged with two counts of vehicular manslaughter and second-degree criminal trespassing.
Kesley has repeatedly displayed disobedient behavior in prison, which has been written about so often that it fills an entire page, Blake Hills, one of the five members of the parole board, said during the hearing.
Hills said it will likely take a month before a decision is made.
All five members of the parole board decide when the killer is eligible for parole.