Nearly two years after he was released from prison, Christian Patrick Parker was driving a car that hit and killed Ariel Hartford, according to prosecutors and the Belleview Police Department.
Police said Parker fled the scene and hid the vehicle. He was arrested the next day and eventually stood trial.
On May 6 a jury found Parker guilty of vehicular homicide. A pre-sentence investigation was ordered.
At a hearing on June 1, Assistant State Attorney Adam Smith asked Circuit Judge Steven Rogers to sentence Parker to 30 years in prison because he’s a prison releasee re-offender.
The judge did so.
State records show Parker was released from prison on May 5, 2022, after serving time for charges including aggravated assault with a weapon, burglary of an occupied dwelling and drug possession.
Before sentencing, the judge asked Parker, who was wearing a red and white jail uniform and sitting beside his lawyer, David Mengers, if he wanted to say anything. Nonchalant, Parker told the judge: “Not much to say.”
The judge then sentenced Parker to 30 years in prison, with 548 days of credit for time served at the county jail. Parker, 27, also must pay fines and court costs.
The judge told Parker that, despite the lengthy prison sentence, he still can move forward with his life. Parker told the judge he’s close to his sister.
The Public Defender’s Office was appointed to represent Parker if there are any appeals.
About the case
Hartford was struck and killed Dec. 1, 2024. At trial, witnesses pointed to Parker as the person behind the wheel of the older-model black Lincoln Town Car that was speeding and hit Hartford, who was in the crosswalk attempting to cross the 10400 block of U.S. 441 South.
The prosecutor showed text messages exchanged between Parker and his girlfriend before and after the deadly crash.
Belleview police said once they found the vehicle they recovered evidence confirming it was the one involved in the crash.
The trial lasted two days. Parker did not testify in his own defense.
Contact Austin L. Miller at austin.miller@starbanner.com
This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Convicted felon sentenced to 30 years in prison for vehicular homicide
Reporting by Austin L. Miller, Ocala Star-Banner / Ocala Star-Banner
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
