Indiana: Rocky McMurray sent to prison for 20 years for killing Steven Ahaus; 2nd time he has killed while driving drunk; prosecutor wishes he could get more time

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Rocky McMurray, age 47, Aurora, Indiana charged by Indiana SP with OWI manslaughter 012417

“Mr. McMurray represents the worst type of OVWI offender. Anytime you have an individual who has shown enough disregard for the extreme risk they put the community at by driving drunk six times is concerning, but when you know that an individual has already killed one person, and continues to get behind the wheel after he’s been drinking, that’s a level of indifference that is hard to imagine. Under the current Indiana Criminal Code, offenses like the one caused by McMurray only start at the same level as some minor financial crimes. The fact that McMurray only faced a potential of twelve years for his underlying charge is frightening for someone who has taken a human life. A longer sentence wouldn’t bring Steven Ahaus back, but it would at least protect the people of Dearborn County from a man who has spent twenty years putting citizens of the county at risk, and who has killed two other people,” — Dearborn-Ohio County Prosecutor Lynn Deddens.

On September 27, 2017, Dearborn Superior Court II Judge Sally McLaughlin threw the book at McMurray, sentencing him to the maximum sentence possible under Indiana law, of 20 years in prison. He had pleaded guilty in June to Causing Death When Operating Motor Vehicle with .15 or More (level 4 felony) and a habitual substance offender enhancement.

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Rocky McMurray arrested on impaired driving charges for killing Steven Ahaus; Judge holds him on million dollar bond – 2nd time he has killed while driving drunk

 

Rocky McMurray. Photo by Dearborn County Sheriff’s Department.

AURORA, INDIANA — Indiana State Police report that on Jan. 24, 2017, at approximately 6:00 pm, the Indiana State Police served an arrest warrant on an Aurora, Indiana man for charges related to the January 24th crash that killed a Moores Hill man.

The investigation by Trooper Kyle Stovall, began on January 24, 2017, when troopers responded to a head-on collision on Sparta Pike near County Road 350 in Moores Hill, Indiana. 

The crash investigation by Trooper Andrew Garrett determined that a red 1999 Dodge Grand Caravan, being driven by Rocky McMurray, age 47, Aurora, Indiana was traveling eastbound on Sparta Pike and drove left of center into the path of a 2005 Dodge Neon being driven by Steven Ahaus, age 48, Moores Hill, Indiana.  Ahaus died as a result of the collision.

The criminal investigation by Trooper Stovall determined that McMurray was believed to be intoxicated at the time of the crash.  He tested over twice the legal limit on a preliminary breath test at the scene.  McMurray also submitted to a blood test while he was hospitalized after the crash.  Those results are still pending.

The investigation was turned over to the Dearborn County Prosecutor’s Office which ultimately led to a warrant being issued for McMurray’s arrest on charges of Reckless Homicide, Operating While Intoxicated-Causing Death, and Operating While Intoxicated While Endangering a Person.  Trooper Garrett and Trooper Travis Linville located McMurray at his residence and arrested him on the charges.

He was incarcerated in the Dearborn County Jail pending his initial court appearance.

McMurray made his initial appearance in Dearborn Superior Court II on Monday. Deputy prosecutor Andrew Krumwied told Judge Sally Blankenship that McMurray has a 2005 conviction for manslaughter in Kentucky in relation to another wreck he caused which claimed another man’s life.

From Eagle Country Online

McMurray made his initial appearance in Dearborn Superior Court II on Monday. Deputy prosecutor Andrew Krumwied told Judge Sally Blankenship that McMurray has a 2005 conviction for manslaughter in Kentucky in relation to another wreck he caused which claimed another man’s life.

“This is the second time he is alleged to have killed a man in a drunk driving accident,” Krumwied said.

Krumwied also recapped McMurray’s previous OWI convictions in Indiana.

Blankenship set McMurray’s bond at $1 million surety and $250,000 cash. The judge cited his criminal history, potential flight risk, and community safety in placing the high bond amount. His driving privileges were also revoked.   MORE

Indiana State ITrooper Kyle Stoval with a rescued injured hawk from a highway.

Indiana State Police reported on March 4, 2020, that Trooper Kyle Stovall located an injured hawk along I-74 in Franklin County. He and Dep. Adam Hunger, Ripley County Sheriff’s Department, caught the hawk and transported it to Red Wolf Sanctuary in Ohio County for rehabilitation. Nice job Trp. Stovall, Dep. Hunger, and Red Wolf for the great teamwork!!

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