Today, Superior Court Judge Michael Wolverton accepted a plea agreement, sentencing 18-year-old Alexandra Ellis to serve three years, with two suspended, for a negligent homicide charge.
Ellis was convicted on charges in connection with the death of 51-year-old Jeff Dusenbury, who was killed in a fatal hit-and-run last year.
Family and friends of Dusenbury said the sentence doesn’t go far enough.
“I find myself feeling terrified of what the future holds,” said Madisen Holder-Dusenbury, the victim’s daughter. ”I’m scared that the one person who was supposed to protect me can’t because he was taken — due to someone’s recklessness and disregard for human life.”
Before the sentencing, Holder-Dusenbury urged the judge to reconsider the plea agreement.
“Please think about what we are facing for the rest of our lives,” she said. “My mother and I, we received a life sentence.”
Ellis said she hopes to dedicate her life to spreading awareness about substance abuse.
“I want to help others as Jeff would have helped others,” said Ellis. “They said he was an incredible man who gave his time to who really needed it. They say that when Jeff left the room, one felt better about themselves. I want to take on that legacy because, ultimately, this awful situation has given me a future.”
Moving forward, Ellis says she will spend the rest of her life trying to be “the best version” of herself.
Ellis was 17 years old when she killed Dusenbury but has since turned 18. Her legal team wanted to apply for a reverse waiver, which would allow Ellis to be charged as a minor. Judge Wolverton denied the request, thus charging her as an adult.
