A grieving mother is upset after her daughter’s killer received a “light” sentence for causing her death while speeding through a Portland neighborhood. Jonathan Peña was sentenced to three years in jail under a new Oregon law that gives reckless drivers one-year prison sentences, with repeat offenders facing a maximum of five years behind bars. The mother of the victim, Ashlee McGill, expressed outrage over the leniency of the sentence, believing it was not enough to deter speeding racers from endangering lives.
The incident occurred on Aug. 27, 2022, when Peña was racing his car against another vehicle at speeds exceeding 80 mph down Stark Street in Southeast Portland. The two cars collided, causing Peña to lose control and crash into 26-year-old Ashlee McGill, who was waiting at a bus stop. McGill was tragically killed instantly as the speeding vehicle struck her while she was sitting on a bench near the corner of Southeast Stark Street and Southeast 133rd Avenue.
Peña, who was initially charged with second-degree manslaughter, later pleaded guilty to criminally negligent homicide. He was also charged with recklessly endangering another person and reckless driving, both misdemeanors. Despite being hospitalized after the crash, Peña was sentenced to 36 months behind bars, three years of post-release supervision, and five years of probation. He was also ordered to pay at least $5,000 in restitution to McGill’s family.
During his arraignment, Peña expressed remorse and asked for forgiveness from the victim’s family. He acknowledged the pain he caused and vowed to endure the consequences to ensure justice for Ashlee McGill. McGill’s mother, Misty Nicholson, criticized Peña’s actions in court, highlighting her daughter’s love for her son, infectious laughter, and vibrant personality. She called for a harsher penalty to hold Peña accountable for his reckless behavior.
Peña’s sentencing is the second related to McGill’s death, with Kenneth Freeman, the driver of the other car involved in the racing incident, previously pleading guilty to criminally negligent homicide and receiving a five-year prison sentence. Both cases shed light on the dangers of speeding and reckless driving on public roads, emphasizing the need for stricter laws and enforcement to prevent such tragic incidents from recurring. The grieving mother’s frustration with the court’s decision reflects the pain and anger experienced by victims’ families in the aftermath of preventable accidents caused by negligent drivers.
