DUI driver sentenced to 30 years in prison in deaths of off-duty sheriff's deputy and his daughter
During the sentencing, it was revealed that this was the suspect's fifth conviction for driving under the influence.
RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KABC) -- A drunk driver who killed a Riverside County correctional deputy and his 19-year-old daughter nearly three years ago was sentenced on Thursday.
Scott Bales pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree murder and three counts of driving under the influence of alcohol, causing great bodily injury.
A superior court judge sentenced Bales to two 15-year prison terms to be served consecutively. Sentences for the other counts will be served concurrently, so Bales will serve 30 years in state prison. He will be eligible for parole.
Denay Jacks spoke about her husband and daughter after the hearing had finished.
"He was the best dad, the best husband. He did everything for me, for us," Denay said about her husband, 45-year-old Daniel Jacks Jr., who was a correctional officer with the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.
Their 19-year-old daughter, Hannah, was a dance instructor in Hemet and a parade performer at Disneyland.
"She was everything. She lit up every room she went into. She was the sweetest, kindest, special young lady," Denay said.
The tragic collision happened on the night of November 13, 2022. The California Highway Patrol said Bales had a blood alcohol level of .102 -- well above the legal limit of 0.08 -- when he crossed the centerline on Gilman Springs Road in Moreno Valley and crashed head-on into the victims' car.
Denay is now left to raise her only remaining child alone -- her son, Brent.
"Going to bed at night, I'm alone now. My poor son doesn't have his father to help guide him through these young adult years," Denay said.
During the sentencing, it was revealed that this was Bales' fifth conviction for driving under the influence.
Several friends of the Jacks family gave victim impact statements before the sentencing, before those statements concluded with Denay also addressing the judge.
"It was very hard to look at (Bales). I don't believe he shows remorse. He turned around at the end and said he was sorry, but that doesn't mean anything," Denay said. "We needed the finality of him being put away, not on the streets where he could do this to someone else. Because it was his fifth time, so it's not an accident; his fifth time being caught with a DUI, and I was ready for it all to be done."
