'Never applied his brakes': Man 'slammed' into family's SUV at 90 mph, killing 2 young brothers

A 25-year-old antheral successful Indiana volition walk much than 7 decades successful situation for starring constabulary connected a high-speed pursuit that ended with him driving astir 100 mph done a reddish airy and close into a family's SUV, leaving the conveyance "engulfed successful flames" and sidesplitting 2 young brothers.

S'Doni Pettis will serve 74 years successful a authorities correctional installation for causing the catastrophic clang that killed 3-year-old Ares Vawter and 2-month-old Iris Moore aboriginal past year.

A Hendricks County Judge connected Monday handed down the sentence, the maximum allowed nether Indiana authorities law, aft Pettis past period reached a mid-trial woody with the prosecutors and pleaded blameworthy to 3 counts of resisting instrumentality enforcement, 2 counts of causing catastrophic wounded erstwhile operating a centrifugal vehicle, 1 number of causing decease erstwhile operating a centrifugal vehicle, 1 number of conversion and 1 number of car theft.

"This transgression was wholly foreseeable," Hendricks County Prosecutor Loren Delp said successful a connection pursuing the sentencing hearing. "Two young children are dormant due to the fact that the suspect didn't privation to beryllium held accountable for stealing a car. Now helium has the remainder of his beingness successful situation to deliberation astir the lives helium took and those helium affected."

According to a news release from the Hendricks County Prosecutor's Office, the incidental took spot connected the greeting of Feb. 5, 2025. Pettis, who was connected probation for aggravated artillery astatine the time, stole a grey Honda Civic successful Indianapolis and got onto U.S. 40 driving west.

A abbreviated portion later, an serviceman with the Avon Police Department attempted to behaviour a postulation halt connected the Civic and learned the conveyance was stolen. Pettis past "deliberately chose to flee" from the officer.

"As Pettis accelerated westbound connected U.S. 40, helium entered the intersection of Ronald Reagan Parkway astatine utmost speeds, ran a reddish light, and slammed into a Ford Explorer occupied by a family," the merchandise states. "The interaction sent the Explorer airborne and instantly engulfed it successful flames. Inside the burning conveyance were 2 young children."

Iris, the infant, was pronounced dormant astatine the scene. Ares suffered "catastrophic burns" and was transported to Riley's Children's Hospital successful Indianapolis wherever helium succumbed to his injuries and died. The young brothers were laid to remainder unneurotic connected March 12, 2025, according to NBC affiliate WTHR.

Several others were injured portion trying to rescue the children, including aggregate responding constabulary officers and the boys' father. A civilian bystander who attempted to chopped distant a car spot that had melted astir 1 of the victims was besides injured, prosecutors said.

Data obtained from Pettis' car showed helium was going astir 90 mph astatine the infinitesimal of interaction and "never applied his brakes," according to prosecutors.

"The crimes committed by the suspect are unspeakable," Delp said. "Two guiltless children mislaid their lives due to the fact that of convulsive choices and utterly indifferent to quality life. There is nary condemnation that tin reconstruct what was taken from these families, but determination is an obligation—on behalf of this community—to clasp the offender afloat accountable."