'I will not forget': Culloden man given maximum sentence in 2022 fatal DUI crash

Circuit Judge Maryclaire Akers sentenced Wyrick to two 3-to-15-year sentences, to be served consecutively. In six years, he will be eligible for parole. He also was fined up to $6,000.

Driving while high

Wyrick was uninjured and admitted to using Delta-8 and Delta-9 THC before the crash.

According to Kanawha County Sheriff’s Sgt. Joshua Lester, Wyrick had eight nanograms of THC in his system per milliliter of blood. Lester said Wyrick was using the marijuana recreationally.

West Virginia’s legal level of impairment is three nanograms per milliliter of blood.

Forgiven, but not forgotten

John Hayes, husband and father of the deceased women, spoke to Wyrick in court. He and his 6-year-old grandson were seriously injured in the crash.

“I want to look him in the eye and forgive him for what he’s done,� Hayes said. “But I will not forget.�

John Hayes said he spent three months in the hospital, was bedridden for one month and now needs his son to take care of him. He asked the judge to give Wyrick the maximum sentence.

In the gallery, John Hayes’s family softly cried and swore at Wyrick.

Personal choice

Autumn Ortiz, daughter and granddaughter of the victims, spoke virtually as she lives out of state. She said her mother and grandmother were “remarkable women� who overcame many challenges in their lives.

“While they successfully battled numerous life-threatening illnesses, they could not survive you,� she said, emphasizing that the crash was caused by Wyrick’s choice to drive while under the influence.

Ortiz also asked for the maximum sentence.

“We pray you never have the opportunity to destroy another family as you have ours. And we pray there’s justice for our mother, our grandmother, our sister, our aunt and our friend,� Ortiz said through tears.

Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Faun Cushman did not argue for any sentence under the terms of the plea agreement.

Wyrick’s apology

Wyrick’s attorney, Jeff Woods, asked the court for the sentences to be served at the same time.

Wyrick, who maintained eye contact with John Hayes throughout the victim impact statement, told the judge he was sorry.

“I didn’t mean for any of this to happen,� Wyrick said. “I’m sorry for my choices and my actions and I do know that if I would have never ended up smoking Delta 8 or even smoking weed, that those lives could still be here today.�

Judge’s sentence

Akers told Wyrick it was rare for a defendant to receive forgiveness from a victim.

“That is something that you should be thankful for,� she said.

Wyrick’s choices to both get high and drive while high were intentional and caused the deaths of two people, which was, “the worst thing you can do,� Akers said.

As Wryick’s own family members sobbed, Akers pointed out that he had destroyed two families.

“You’ve hurt them as much or more as you hurt this other family with your choices.�