GERMAN TWP. — The mother of a woman killed in a crash in April, which claimed the lives of three others, is defending her deceased daughter from accusations that she played a role in the crash.
The crash happened April 30 on state Route 4 near state routes 725 and 123 in southern Montgomery County.
Ashley Mance, 26, was killed when she lost control of her car, crossed the center line and hit a mini-van. Her 23-month-old son, Andrew Johnson, Jr., and 7-year-old daughter, Averly, were in the car. Andrew, “AJ,” was killed in the crash and Averly survived after weeks of critical care in the hospital.
The crash also killed Katie Roberts, 31, and her mother Rebecca Roberts, 61, who were in the mini-van Ashley Mance hit.
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Police immediately said there was another car in the crash zone and later arrested a 16-year-old driver. On Wednesday, the teen pleaded guilty in juvenile court to four counts of aggravated vehicular homicide.
After Wednesday’s hearing, the teen’s mother spoke to News Center 7′s Mike Campbell and said that she believed Ashley Mance was just as much to blame for the crash as her son, pointing out that prosecutors said both vehicles were traveling at excessive speeds.
Dawn Mance, Ashley’s mother, said the mother’s comments were “very upsetting.”
“My daughter was not out driving illegally, she was not out joyriding that day,” Dawn Mance said.
Dawn Mance said her daughter would never endanger children. She said the teen tried to pass her daughter on a curve, causing her to maneuver to avoid him and lost control.
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Police and prosecutors said in court that the teen did not have a license or permit. The teen’s mother blamed that on delays due to COVID-19.
Dawn Mance told News Center 7 that she wants everyone to accept the plea deal and try and move forward. She also though the deal would be easier for the mother of the teen.
“You have your son, you can still talk to him. He has his whole life, my daughter was young too. She didn’t get that life, her son didn’t get that life, so be grateful for what you have,” Mance said.
The teen is being held in a Juvenile Justice Center until his sentencing in two weeks.