Milwaukee fatal crash, Jai'Quann McMurtry gets 21 years in prison

MILWAUKEE - A Milwaukee County judge sentenced Jai'Quann McMurtry to prison on Friday for a crash that killed his passenger, Danari Peer. McMurtry was out on bail at the time.

In addition to 21 years behind bars, the judge sentenced McMurtry to 16 years of extended supervision. A jury convicted him of second-degree reckless homicide, among other crimes, in August.

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The crash happened in October 2022. Prosecutors said McMurtry was driving more than 100 mph, street racing near Timmerman Airport, when he slammed into a tree. The victim's family said he destroyed their lives when he killed their 20-year-old son.

"Judge, we are tired of living in fear," said Nicole Byrd, Peer's mother. "We are tired of burying our loved ones because of reckless driving."

"He didn’t care about anyone’s life. Danari had to pay the ultimate price," said Ilona Peer, Danari's grandmother. "It should’ve been him. It should’ve been him."

The case garnered national attention when Peer's family criticized the Milwaukee County district attorney after learning McMurtry was out on bail for three felonies at the time of the crash.

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"This type of reckless must be met with the most extreme consequences by the court," Prosecutor Daniel Flaherty said.

Peer's family looked for the maximum sentence, while McMurtry's defense asked for far less.

"He did not want Danari to die. He did not intentionally crash his car into a tree," said Defense Attorney Taylor Hart.

"I know you didn’t mean to do this, but that doesn’t change the fact that you did," Judge David Swanson said.

The victim's family repeatedly said they felt like McMurtry showed no remorse. In addition to the sentence, the judge ordered McMurtry to write a letter of apology to Peer's family.