Brawl outside courtroom: 'He did not deserve to die like that'
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BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — Elsie Bruce and Doris Mixon showed up Wednesday at Kern County Superior Court to see the man accused in the drunk-driving crash that killed their nephew, 4-year-old Quani Pulley.
"It just doesn't make sense for us not to have Quani. What did he do to deserve this?" asked Bruce.
Police said 26-year-old Lonnie Haynes was driving at a high rate of speed and lost control of his car while exiting the California Avenue off-ramp at Highway 99. The car rolled, killing Quani and 23-year-old Robert Jared.
The crash also severally injured Pulley's 5-year-old brother. All three were passengers in Haynes' vehicle.
Haynes pleaded not guilty to a pair of counts of vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and causing great bodily injury.
Right after Wednesday's arraignment, a heated confrontation between families erupted in the hallway outside the courtroom. Startled spectators caught in the middle tried to remain out of harm's way as Kern County Sheriff's deputies quickly moved in to separate the two sides.
"I want justice for my nephew," said Mixon. "He did not deserve to die like that. My other nephew is fighting for his life."
The 5-year-old remains at Children's Hospital Central California in Madera.
Haynes is being held on bail of $915,000.
"It just doesn't make sense for us not to have Quani. What did he do to deserve this?" asked Bruce.
Police said 26-year-old Lonnie Haynes was driving at a high rate of speed and lost control of his car while exiting the California Avenue off-ramp at Highway 99. The car rolled, killing Quani and 23-year-old Robert Jared.
The crash also severally injured Pulley's 5-year-old brother. All three were passengers in Haynes' vehicle.
Haynes pleaded not guilty to a pair of counts of vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and causing great bodily injury.
Right after Wednesday's arraignment, a heated confrontation between families erupted in the hallway outside the courtroom. Startled spectators caught in the middle tried to remain out of harm's way as Kern County Sheriff's deputies quickly moved in to separate the two sides.
"I want justice for my nephew," said Mixon. "He did not deserve to die like that. My other nephew is fighting for his life."
The 5-year-old remains at Children's Hospital Central California in Madera.
Haynes is being held on bail of $915,000.
How can you not put blame on the driver? And in the end it will be involuntary manslaughter,2 years. Doesn't murder sound more like a fitting charge,you can even say premeditated. you know what the chances are when you drive drunk,and still you decide to drive and with kids no less. your intentions may not have been to kill anyone but you knew how possible the possibility was.thats just my opinion.
@iam you were not their, believe half of wat u hear n all of wat u see. what part we dont uderstand about accident. something else lit this fire. WHAT/? LONNIE WAS JUST THE ESCAPE GOAT.
This was a accident, a serious accident that everyone need to come together and listen instead of judging and listen to the facts of the whole scenario. Mr Haynes is not the only one to be blamed. There could be others that are involved.
THank u for having an open mind. let he who has not sinned cast the first stone, we love our son
RM, I agree, my thoughts were how did these kids end up in ths car so late at night and where was the mother? who let them get in a car with a drunk driver? This guy is not blameless by any means but why put all the blame on him?Â
There is more to the story than what is being said. There is always two sides. And the ones that are speaking to the media, Played a big part in this incident. Â @American Citizen
Bruce drinks and drive herself, she is just putting on drama. Quani is not her nephew.
@angela Yes because if it's not her nephew she absolutely should not care. Ever heard of empathy? You should google it sometime. This sub-human plead not guilty to get a better sentence. Man up and accept resposibility for your stupid actions. Drinking and driving is the upmost dumbest decision ANYONE can make. I won't even drive after 1 beer . Think ahead and don't drive. Is it that hard?!? I guess I shouldn't be upset because HEY, it wasn't my nephew. Seriously?!?
This is tragic and very sad. But if the driver was drunk, why the heck were those kids in the car?!
@RM because he was not drunk...