The driver involved in a tragic accident that claimed the lives of three teenagers has posted bond after a judge denied her request to reduce it.
On Thursday morning, Hailey Zenk appeared in court for a hearing seeking a reduction in her bond. Zenk, who was behind the wheel during a tragic accident in February 2023, which claimed the lives of Emily McNees, Kaeden Tyler, and Will Flickinger, and left Trevor Bogert severely injured. Investigators determined that Zenk had a combination of drugs and alcohol in her system at the time of the crash.
The hearing took place in response to Zenk’s SCRAM alcohol monitor detecting alcohol, which violated her suspended sentence. Douglas Meyer, stepfather of Kaeden Tyler, expressed his anxiety whenever something occurs in this case.
“It feels like a constant barrage of bad news, each one reopening a fresh wound,” Meyer expressed.
According to the Lincoln County prosecuting attorney, the alcohol monitoring device was tampered with twice within two months of its installation.
During the court hearing on Thursday, Zenk’s attorney made a request to reduce the bond to $10,000. However, the judge denied the request, stating that the bond would remain at $20,000. The judge also mentioned that if Zenk were to post the bond, she would be placed under house arrest, with limited freedom to only attend church or visit the doctor. Additionally, she would be required to wear a SCRAM device and adhere to its regulations.
“Perhaps, there is a chance for justice to prevail and the judge will make the right decision by acknowledging the multitude of errors she has made right from the start,” expressed Meyer.
Emily McNees’s aunt, Dakota McNees, expressed her support for the judge’s decision not to reduce her niece’s bond.
McNees expressed her disappointment, stating that the individual in question had already been given a second chance but had ultimately squandered it. She emphasized that their loved ones, unfortunately, were not afforded the same opportunity.
Every day has been a challenge for Courtney Capizzi as she copes with the absence of her beloved niece, Emily McNees.
“We will ensure that the justice that Emily, KK, Will, and Trevor deserve is served. It is important for us to bring attention to their lives and make sure people understand who these kids were and continue to be,” Capizzi stated. “We will forever hold them in our hearts.”
Zenk’s hearing has been scheduled for February 7, 2025, which falls just two days after the second anniversary of the accident.
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