A grieving family is furious after an alleged drunk driver, who killed their 11-year-old son after his car hit the car the youngster was traveling in, has been released without bail by an awake judge
Ryan Ambrose was killed in the Portland, Oregon crash last Saturday night.
The suspect, 29-year-old Duprie Smith, was said to have been traveling at speeds in excess of 84 mph at the time of the accident when he collided directly into Ryan’s vehicle. Ryan was in the back seat of the car and was the hardest hit by the impact.
Smith is said to have raced to the hospital after being shot earlier at his younger brother’s funeral.
Police recorded a blood alcohol level of .116, meaning he would have been significantly disabled at the time of the accident and significantly over the legal drink-driving limit.
Ryan was visiting relatives in Portland from out of state when the fatal accident occurred.
11-year-old Ryan Ambrose was killed after the car he was traveling in was slammed by an alleged drunk driver
Duprie Smith, 29, was released without bail by a judge after an 85 mph car crash that killed 11-year-old Ryan Ambrose
Ryan’s car, which was being driven by his aunt, was rampaged at an intersection in Portland
The dash cam reportedly shows Smith speeding, pushing his way through traffic and running a red light before crashing into the sedan that Ryan was transporting at an intersection.
Ryan suffered serious, life-threatening injuries in the crash and despite a witness performing CPR at the scene, he was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Smith’s speed was so great that his vehicle overturned and traveled an entire city block before coming to a stop.
He was arrested for DUII (driving under the influence of intoxicants) and manslaughter, but was shockingly released from the Multnomah County Jail without bail.
Although the district attorney requested Smith’s bail to be set at $100,000, Judge Michael Greenlick instead released Smith on the condition that he did not drive, wear a device to monitor alcohol consumption, and did not enter bars.
Duprie Smith was driving under the influence when he killed Ryan Ambrose, age 11, on July 8 in Portland, Oregon.
Smith’s speed was so great that his vehicle overturned and traveled an entire city block before coming to a stop
Although the district attorney requested Smith’s bail to be set at $100,000, Judge Michael Greenlick instead released Smith on the condition that he did not drive, wear a device to monitor alcohol consumption, and did not enter bars. Smith is seen in court on the left
Smith posted on Facebook that he was glad he was alive but did not name the boy who died in the crash
“I release you because I believe you will abide by these terms of release,” Greenlick said in court.
Ryan’s family share their frustration at Smith’s release and believe he should remain incarcerated until his August court hearing.
“It’s not fair what happened. I feel like we need to come together as a community,” said Daniela, Ryan’s niece KOIN. “Put yourself in our shoes and imagine this happening to your family.”
The family says Ryan was a funny kid who loved his comic book heroes and loved helping others.
‘He was great. He was one of the sweetest guys,” said Ryan’s aunt, Jennifer Trejo, who was also involved in the accident.
“He was killed by a drunk driver and now this man is sitting in his house watching TV and my grandson is now on a case at the funeral home,” she told Fox 12.
“We don’t think this is fair. What are they trying to do? Wait for him to kill someone else and then arrest him? He drove 90 miles an hour drunk. Ran at every red light. This is not fair. Where is the court? We need it. The whole family needs it.
“Please, I’m calling on the entire community to help us,” Trejo pleaded. ‘To do justice. Please call, do something. Please help us. Don’t do it for us, do it for the little kid. He was 11 years old. He hasn’t done anything wrong with anyone.’
“Please, I’m calling on the entire community to help us,” Trejo said. ‘To do justice. Please call, do something. Please help us. Don’t do it for us, do it for the little kid. He was 11 years old. He hasn’t done anything wrong with anyone,” said Aunt, Jennifer Trejo
The family says Ryan was a funny kid who loved his comic book heroes and loved helping others
Ryan’s family says he was “always very positive and knew how to comfort people at such a young age.” He was always so mature and his presence filled you with warmth and love every time.”
Ryan is pictured with family members on a trip to Disneyland
Relatives held a vigil at the intersection where the accident occurred
Friends, family and community members lit candles and placed flowers at the scene of the accident
Ryan’s family, who have set up a GoFundMe to pay for funeral expenses, say they won’t rest until Smith is behind bars
Court records on Smith reveal how he had open gunshot wounds unrelated to the incident.
Appearing in court this week, Smith was asked why he was driving injured.
A lawyer speaking on his behalf explained that there had been a shooting at his younger brother’s funeral and an ambulance did not arrive quickly enough. He decided to drive himself to the hospital because he thought he was ‘bleeding’.
Ryan’s family, who a GoFundMe to pay for the funeral costs, say they won’t rest until Smith is behind bars.
“We don’t want revenge. We don’t want to harm anyone. We just want the person who has caused all this pain, all this pain and all this trauma to be where they belong, where they are in prison. We won’t stop until he’s locked up,’ Trejo said.
Smith will then appear in court again on August 1.