Trial Approaches for Drivers in Ali Spice Fatal Crash, Families Divided Over Charges
The upcoming trial of Thomas Petry and Devin Perkins, both charged in a tragic wrong-way crash that killed TikTok star Ali Spice and two others, has sparked significant controversy. Set for September 23, the trial will determine the fate of the two men, who could face life in prison if convicted. The crash occurred on December 11, 2022, on State Road 44 in Florida, and the victims’ families remain divided on the charges against Perkins.
Thomas Petry, 55, of Orange City, was driving a pickup truck in the wrong direction on State Road 44 when it collided with an Infiniti driven by Devin Perkins, 24, of New Smyrna Beach. According to reports, Petry had been drinking alcohol with his passenger, Joanna Dillon, in the hours leading up to the crash. Dillon owned the truck and suffered incapacitating injuries in the crash.
Perkins was reportedly driving at 100 miles per hour just before the collision. Although blood tests showed he had alcohol in his system, the level was below the legal limit for intoxication. Tragically, the crash killed three passengers in Perkins’ vehicle, including Alexandra Dulin, known as Ali Spice to her nearly one million TikTok followers, along with Kyle Jacob Moser and Ava Fellerman. Perkins survived but sustained serious injuries.
Petry was charged with three counts of vehicular homicide, leaving the scene of a crash involving death, and reckless driving. However, Perkins was also charged with three counts of vehicular homicide and reckless driving, sparking division among the families. Some believe that Perkins was not responsible for the crash and should not have been charged, given Petry’s role as the wrong-way driver.
For more details on the case, visit News Journal Online.
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This case has raised questions about accountability in tragic accidents, with both defendants facing decades in prison. The sentencing guidelines suggest a minimum of 367 months for Perkins and 444 months for Petry if they are convicted.