Driver gets 60 years for deadly Valley chase; WWII vet, his daughter, teen killed

Yahoo

23-05-2025

VALLEY, Ala. (WRBL) – A 21-year-old man who led police on a high-speed chase in a stolen car—killing three people in a violent crash—has admitted his crimes in court. Now, he's been sentenced to decades behind bars, as victims' families grapple with grief and giving grace.
Wesley McKinnon entered a blind plea to three counts of Reckless Murder, Attempting to Elude Law Enforcement, and Receiving Stolen Property 1st Degree. His sentencing was on May 22 in a Chambers County courtroom.
Inside the courtroom, emotions ran high as victims' families shared their pain before McKinnon was sentenced to 60 years in prison—that's 60 years for each reckless murder charge, plus 20 years for eluding police, and 20 more for receiving stolen property. The sentences will run concurrently, meaning McKinnon will serve a single 60-year term. He is expected to serve most of it—possibly until he's 81 years old.
Presiding Circuit Judge William Isaac Whorton delivered a forceful rebuke during sentencing.
'You killed three innocent people just as if you had walked up and shot them in the head,' the judge said. 'What you did was so reckless, so beyond the pale—it must be punished as murder.'
The deadly pursuit happened on December 28, 2023. Investigators say McKinnon stole a Kia at gunpoint in Union Springs, fled from Valley Police at speeds topping 100 MPH, and crashed into another car while driving in the wrong lane of U.S. Highway 29. The impact claimed the lives of:
• Aron C. Haynes, 98, a World War II veteran who served in General Patton's Third Army
• Regina Rutledge, 64, Haynes' daughter, who died days later from her injuries
• Cadence Brown, 18, a passenger in McKinnon's vehicle
The scene was devastating—twisted metal, bloodied airbags, and shattered glass stretched across the highway. First responders fought to save lives, but three families were changed forever. Chesley Rutledge lost both his mother and grandfather in the crash.
'He was such a good grandfather. And Mama? She protected me. I'm an only child. Nobody messed with me. I know she loved me, and I loved her. I'll miss her for the rest of my life,' Rutledge said.
He describes his mother as a fierce protector, a devoted caregiver, and a proud grandmother who lived for her family. Regina, Chesley says, was always proud to help others—traits she inherited from her father, Aron, who had lovingly cared for his wife as she battled Alzheimer's until her death.
'I was blessed. I had good parents and good grandparents. I was raised in a good home,' he said.
Despite his loss, Chesley speaks with remarkable compassion for the man responsible.
'I'd have been OK with 20 or 30 years for each one. He's just a kid and it got me thinking he probably had a hard road and he just chose the one the wrong road to go down. I don't hate him,' Rutledge said. 'Pop would've said: don't hold a grudge. Don't be mad at nobody. Stay close to your family.'
He even believes McKinnon—if given the chance—might one day help others avoid the same path.
'I hope he does school in there and if he comes up for parole years down the road, maybe someone will speak on his behalf. Maybe I will. I don't know,' Rutledge said. 'Maybe he can share his story and keep another family from going through this.'
Cadence Brown's mother also shared her heartbreak during the proceedings. She described her daughter as a bright, loving teen who had her whole life ahead of her.
'She was a light,' her mother said. 'How many people is he going to take from this world?'
This wasn't McKinnon's first time running from police. At the time of the crash, he was already out on bond in Bullock County for an earlier fatal crash—also following a police pursuit. That case is still pending.
McKinnon addressed the families in court, appearing remorseful.
'I'm very sorry,' he said. 'I hope you can forgive me one day.'
McKinnon entered a blind plea—meaning he did not seek a deal or take the case to trial. His defense attorney said he admitted his wrongdoing from the beginning and never attempted to shift blame or minimize the outcome.
His defense team described his background—a young man with an eighth-grade education, a special education student, and a history of drug use. They argued he never intended to kill anyone, only to get away. But that decision, prosecutors said, showed 'extreme indifference to human life' as they pushed for the maximum sentence, saying their hearts go out to the families—and made it clear: this kind of reckless disregard for life will not be tolerated in Chambers County.
Chesley Rutledge said the people of Valley have wrapped around him in the aftermath.
'I had hundreds of phone calls and messages. I still have people checking on me,' he said. 'The Valley area has been good to me and my family.'
As the courtroom emptied and McKinnon was led away to begin his 60-year sentence, the families left behind are still picking up the pieces. For Chesley Rutledge, the pain of losing both his mother and grandfather will never fade—but neither will their example of compassion.
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