A drunk driver who struck a mother and son on Halloween 2021 has reportedly apologized for the heartless words she spoke to the father after the fatal crash as she pleaded for parole.
According to local news station KUTV, Kesley Pope, 24, spoke about the disturbing comments in court for the first time on Aug. 27, three years after he killed Season Dow, 43, and Dow's 16-year-old son, Toby, in Orem, and pleaded with the Utah Parole Board for his release.
KUTV Received a call After Pope was arrested and accused of taking responsibility for the victim's death, a dispute ensued between him and his father, Jeff Pope.
The Dows were on their way home from an Andrea Bocelli concert in Salt Lake City when they ran out of gas and had to stop in their car on Interstate 15 in Utah County.
Pope, who was 22 at the time – twice the legal limit for driving – crashed into a car parked on the side of the road.
Season Dow died at the scene and Toby was taken by helicopter to a nearby hospital where he later died from his injuries.
“If they're out of gas and they're on the highway, they're already at fault. That's illegal,” Jeff told his daughter in a phone call from Utah State Prison, where he is serving a maximum 10-year sentence, according to KUTV.
“Yes,” Kesley replied from behind the bars before being sentenced.
Just 17 days after the horrific accident, Kesley called his father, Jeff, and coldly told him he was “so glad this was my first crime.”
“Oh yeah, you're so lucky. It's life-changing,” Jeff replied.
“It's your first offense. They're always kind to first-time offenders,” he continued, but she replied that she knew.
During Pope's parole hearing, she said she saw a report about the phone call on the local news.
“I was shocked by the news coverage I saw last night and I want to apologize. I'm really sorry about some of the things my family said,” she said. “Whatever my family said, it was totally wrong and it's my responsibility. And I would never say it's not my responsibility.”
“My heart aches for you and your family,” Pope told the parole board, “your innocent family has been destroyed by my selfish decision, and I wish every day I could undo it.”
Christian Dow, Season's wife and Toby's husband, was in court for the parole hearing and told KUTV he was shocked to hear the phone conversation between Pope and her father.
“The Pope family appears to have shown no accountability in this matter, as they have blamed my family for the accident and have taken no responsibility or accountability for the fact that Ms. Pope was driving while intoxicated and without insurance,” he said.
He said Kesley will remain in prison for 10 years and must be held accountable.
Christian Dow filed a civil lawsuit against Kesley and her father for negligence and wrongful death.
Pope told the parole board that he had returned to a treatment program and detailed his drinking history.
She began drinking at age 18 after moving to Costa Rica, where she was of legal drinking age. Both of her parents, who were not present at the hearing, have substance abuse problems, she claimed.
If granted parole, she will live with her grandfather, who was in court.
The committee said a decision is expected to be made in late September.
