Terry Lamar Easter, the Apple Valley man accused in the high-speed Victorville crash that killed two teenage girls, pleaded not guilty Monday as the case moved into the next stage of the court process.
Easter, 50, is facing two counts of murder in connection with the Aug. 14 crash that killed 17-year-old Maddalyn Dailey and 16-year-old Isabell Hill. The two girls were close friends and were traveling together when their Acura was struck at an intersection in Victorville.
The court appearance came as Maddalyn’s family prepared to say goodbye to her at a funeral service.
Maddalyn’s father, Dustin Dailey, said he wants Easter to remain behind bars and expressed relief after authorities took him into custody.
The crash happened on Ridgecrest Road near Elmwood Drive. Investigators said Easter was driving a Chevrolet Camaro while George Gary Sanchez, 49, was driving a Dodge Charger. Authorities allege the two vehicles were traveling at extremely high speeds before colliding with the Acura carrying the teenagers.
Prosecutors have alleged that Easter’s Camaro was traveling as fast as 117 mph before the crash. He has also been accused of street racing and of having his 8-year-old son in the vehicle at the time.
According to prosecutors, Easter allegedly fled the scene after the collision, leaving his son behind. He was later taken into custody after investigators searched for him in connection with the fatal crash.
The force of the collision was severe enough to split the Acura apart, killing both teenagers.
Sanchez was arrested shortly after the crash. He has been identified as the other driver involved, although prosecutors had not charged him with murder at the time of the latest reports.
Three additional people — Ryan James Lewis, 45, of Victorville; Lukevy Shawntell Yates, 49, of Apple Valley; and Madge Wells, 74, of Apple Valley — were also arrested on suspicion of being accessories after the fact. They later cooperated with investigators and were released.
The deaths have left both families and friends grieving. Memorials appeared near the crash site in the days following the collision as people left flowers and candles in remembrance of the teenagers.
The crash has also prompted safety concerns along the road. Authorities said speed bumps and other traffic-safety measures are being installed in the area where the collision occurred.
Easter is due back in court on Sept. 10. The case remains pending, and the allegations against him have not been proven in court.
