By: Richard L. Smith
In a somber courtroom scene, The Honorable Superior Court Judge Ronald D. Wiggler sentenced Daesha Collymore, 21, an unlicensed driver, to three years (flat) in jail for her involvement in a hit-and-run crash that resulted in the death of Mr. Aaryn Terry, 30, on Sunday, July 31, 2022. She was credited for serving 1 day in jail.
The sentencing took place on the 6th floor of the court around 9:40 a.m. Friday, with approximately 40 members of Terry's family present and a handful of them, including his daughter, tearfully speaking on his behalf.
Sympathetic to both sides, Judge Wiggler described the case as a no-win situation for everyone involved.
Due to Collymore pleading guilty and cooperating with authorities on May 12, 2023, the charges were downgraded from vehicular manslaughter to Causing Death While Driving with/Suspended Unlicensed 2C:40-22A.
Recognizing the gravity of the incident, Judge Wiggler acknowledged the pain caused to the community and the loss of an exceptional individual, Terry.
Witnesses reported that the hit-and-run occurred in the 400 block of Central Avenue around 2:10 a.m. Police and emergency medical services responded to the scene, discovering Terry lying on the ground with severe injuries.
The vehicle responsible for the collision had fled, with Collymore as the driver, before their arrival.
According to his obituary, Terry was rushed to an area hospital where he transitioned from his injuries on August 4, 2022.
During the court proceedings, Adam Wells, the prosecuting attorney, emphasized the impact Terry's death had on the community. He stated that hit-and-run cases often result in inadequate sentencing, but in this instance, while heartless, the act was not intentional.
Wells recognized the absence of prior arrests, the lack of a criminal history as a youth, good behavior in school, Collymore's law-abiding life, and her commitment to pursuing her GED as mitigating factors to go with the lighter sentence.
RLS Media was present in the courtroom during the sentencing hearing. Following the judge's decision, family members of Terry expressed their dissatisfaction with the sentence but acknowledged that they must accept it.
They conveyed their disappointment, stating that Collymore did not demonstrate character when she struck Terry with her car and left him there to die. The family believed that a longer jail term would have been more appropriate for the crime committed.
In a brief address to the court, Collymore expressed her remorse and conveyed her deep sorrow for the pain inflicted upon Terry's family. She acknowledged that the incident haunts her every day.
'Since the day this happened, it's been very hard. I can't imagine what Mr. Terry's family is going through and I want to say I'm so sorry for hurting you", Collymore said.
According to Judge Wiggler, the incident transformed into a criminal matter due to Collymore leaving the scene of the crash, which resulted in Terry's untimely death. Had she stayed and taken responsibility, it could have been addressed as a civil matter.
While the sentencing may not fully alleviate the grief experienced by Terry's family, it represents a significant step toward justice for the tragic loss they have endured.
The case serves as a reminder of the consequences of hit-and-run incidents and the importance of remaining at the scene to aid those in need.