ST. LOUIS, MO (June 24, 2024) — Daryl E. Powell Jr., 32, was sentenced to 13 years in prison after pleading guilty to involuntary manslaughter, armed criminal action, resisting arrest and two counts of child endangerment after fleeing police and crashing into a car driven by 34-year-old Jerome Hightower, killing him. The crash occurred on April 4, 2023 in the 4600 block of Dr. Martin Luther King Drive in the city’s Kingsway East neighborhood.

Powell, who was wanted for a robbery at the time, sped away from St. Louis County police and drove into the city. Two toddlers were in his car at the time of the crash. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison for manslaughter and an additional three years for armed criminal action by 22^nd Circuit Court Judge Annette Llewellyn. Sentences for the other convictions will run concurrently with his 10-year prison term.

“Reckless driving that endangers the lives of others is taken extremely seriously by this office and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” said Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore.

The case was prosecuted by Special Assistant Circuit Attorney Terrence O’Toole, Jr., who is a partner at the law firm of Dowd Bennett LLP.

###