Double Murder Sentencing: Drunk Driver to Spend Life in Prison After Killing Pregnant Mother and Unborn Child in Pinal County Crash

By: Ciara Perez | Investigative Reporter | iSkyNews.com (ISC News)

Published July 1st, 2025

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Double Murder Sentencing: Drunk Driver to Spend Life in Prison After Killing Pregnant Mother and Unborn Child in Pinal County Crash

Florence, AZ — A devastating case of impaired driving that took the lives of a pregnant woman and her unborn child has come to a close with a life-altering sentence.

Pinal County Attorney Brad Miller announced today that 64-year-old Ronald Keith Howard has been sentenced to 50 years in the Arizona Department of Corrections after pleading guilty to all charges stemming from a fatal DUI crash on December 23, 2024. The horrific incident occurred on US60 between mileposts 204 and 215, where Howard — a repeat DUI offender — was found to have a blood alcohol concentration of .303, nearly four times the legal limit.

“This was a devastating and entirely preventable tragedy,” said County Attorney Brad Miller. “While nothing can restore what was lost, today’s sentence holds the defendant accountable and affirms our commitment to pursuing justice on behalf of victims and their families.”

According to investigators, Howard had pulled over on the shoulder of US60 before accelerating directly into oncoming traffic, ultimately colliding with a vehicle driven by a man with his pregnant wife in the passenger seat. Despite the driver’s attempts to avoid the collision, the vehicles struck, killing the woman — who was 17 weeks pregnant — and her unborn child instantly. The driver also suffered serious injuries.

Howard pleaded guilty in Pinal County Superior Court to the full indictment, including:

Two counts of Second Degree Murder (Class 1 Felonies)
One count of Aggravated Assault (Class 3 Dangerous Felony)

“This sentence reflects the seriousness of the defendant’s actions and the irreplaceable loss suffered by the victim’s family and community,” Miller said. “Our office will continue to aggressively prosecute cases involving impaired driving, particularly when they result in the loss of innocent life.”

The case was investigated by Detective Neil Osborn of the Department of Public Safety, and prosecuted by Deputy County Attorney Stephen Bridger.

The Pinal County Attorney’s Office expressed its deepest condolences to the victims' family, stating that they hope the sentencing provides a measure of closure and justice.

For more updates on criminal justice news across Arizona, visit iSkyNews.com

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