Parents of girl killed in suspected DUI crash testify at murder trial
ELIZABETHTOWN, KY (WAVE) - The parents of the teenage girl killed last year in a suspected DUI crash took to the stand Thursday to testify in the trial of the man charged with murder in her death.
Michael Todd Hilton is on trial for murder, DUI, assault and persistent felony offender charges in relation to the June 19, 2014 crash. Investigators say he was drunk when he went through a stop sign and hit the car driven by Brianna Taylor.
Taylor, who was 17, was killed in the crash. Her passenger, Mickayla Harig, who was 18 at the time, suffered debilitating injuries.
Brianna's father, David, described the last time he saw his daughter. "She gave us all hugs, me and my wife and my son, and she went to Mickayla's," he said. "And that was the last time we've ever seen her."
David Taylor also read from the letter that suspect Michael Hilton sent him from jail. Hilton wrote: "I didn't have time to stop at the sign, without putting myself or my passenger in danger." Hilton admitted to being behind the wheel when the accident happened at the intersection of Patriot Parkway and Deckard School Road.
Harig's stepmother, Nancy, testified that Mickayla's recovery required a two-month hospital stay and grueling rehabilitation. She also said Mickayla suffers from memory loss, and logic and problem solving skills.
[RELATED: Crash survivor Mickayla Harig's journey]
She spoke also about the letter her family received from Hilton. "I slowed as much as possible in a safe manner. Quickly looked with what little visibility I had," Harig said.
Medical testimony from a treating emergency room physician at UofL Hospital in Louisville was interrupted when a member of the jury needed medical help. Court was adjourned for about an hour, and testimony resumed after the juror received medical care.
Dr. Jason Smith told the jury he sees about 600 trauma patients per year, but remembers the victims in this crash.
They arrived by medical helicopter. Mickayla at first was not responsive. She had suffered a severe head injury.
The medical team tried to save Brianna, but she succumbed to her injuries.
Dr. Smith also testified that his team treated Hilton's twin brother, Anthony, who had to be treated for facial fractures and large cuts on his head. Anthony was a passenger in the vehicle his brother was driving.
Before the crash that killed Brianna, Hilton had served time for repeat DUI offenses. Brianna's parents have since asked Kentucky lawmakers to consider harsher penalties for repeat offenders. Legislation to increase the "look-back" period for repeat DUI offenses was considered by the state senate in 2015 and has been pre-filed for consideration in 2016 in both chambers of the state legislature. The senate bill, sponsored by Sen. Dennis Parrett, a Democrat from Elizabethtown, is named in honor of Brianna.
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