DES MOINES, Iowa — Tears were shed on the witness stand Wednesday in the trial against Keith Jones, the man accused of participating in a deadly drag racing incident that killed a 4-year-old in December 2022.
Mayra de Catalan, who was driving the car now-convicted Robert Miller III hit on Dec. 13, 2022, took the stand to testify about the crash from her perspective.
De Catalan was driving home from volunteering with her son Tiago and nephew, 4-year-old Marcos Faguada, in the backseat. In the opposite lanes of Fleur Drive, Miller allegedly lost control while racing with Jones. Miller then crossed the median, crashing into De Catalan's vehicle head on.
After the crash, Jones allegedly fled from the scene.
De Catalan told the court how traumatic the day was as she relived the accident on the stand.
"I remember being hurt, I was afraid, I could feel my heart pounding ... And I remember seeing lights coming at me, but it was so fast I didn't have the chance to be afraid," she said.
The majority of the day was spent speaking with people who responded to the chaotic scene. According to first responder testimony, Faguada was awake and conscious when they first arrived on the scene, but he had a large gash in his head.
The State Medical Examiner shared that multiple blunt-force trauma wounds led to Faguada's decline on the way to the hospital and, eventually, his death. De Catalan and her son were also injured in the crash.
Jones is charged with:
- Homicide by Vehicle — Operating While Intoxicated
- Homicide by Vehicle — Reckless Driving
- Homicide by Vehicle — Drag Racing
- Serious Injury by Operating Motor Vehicle While Intoxicated
- Serious Injury by Reckless Driving
- Leaving the scene of an accident causing death
In June, Miller was found guilty on all counts and sentenced to 30 years in prison.
The trial is expected to continue Thursday morning.