Local News
Judge Rules Against Lifting Probation for Petersen
A man who received probation for his admitted role in a drag race that killed four teenagers on I-540 has not satisfied the conditions of the probation, a judge ruled Monday.
A Wake County man who received probation for his admitted role in a drag race that killed four teenagers on Interstate 540 five years ago will not have it discontinued.
In August, Chris Petersen was sentenced to 90 days in jail for violating the probation on which he was placed after he pleaded guilty to the fatal race. He will have to serve out the remainder of his probation, which includes not driving.
Attorneys argued Monday that the jail term satisfied the condition of the probation, but the judge did not agree.
Petersen had admitted to completing only 26 hours of his required 480 hours of community service. He also admitted to driving when the court had prohibited him from doing so for three years.
Petersen pleaded guilty on June 30, 2004, to four counts of misdemeanor death by vehicle and one count of excessive speed in connection with the May 30, 2001, accident.
Prosecutors said Petersen was racing with the teens -- Bryan Reaves, Jamie Brewer, Mike Smith and Matthew Yurcak -- at the time of their deaths. Defense attorneys claimed the teens were not racing and Petersen was not responsible for their deaths.
In August, Chris Petersen was sentenced to 90 days in jail for violating the probation on which he was placed after he pleaded guilty to the fatal race. He will have to serve out the remainder of his probation, which includes not driving.
Attorneys argued Monday that the jail term satisfied the condition of the probation, but the judge did not agree.
Petersen had admitted to completing only 26 hours of his required 480 hours of community service. He also admitted to driving when the court had prohibited him from doing so for three years.
Petersen pleaded guilty on June 30, 2004, to four counts of misdemeanor death by vehicle and one count of excessive speed in connection with the May 30, 2001, accident.
Prosecutors said Petersen was racing with the teens -- Bryan Reaves, Jamie Brewer, Mike Smith and Matthew Yurcak -- at the time of their deaths. Defense attorneys claimed the teens were not racing and Petersen was not responsible for their deaths.
