Man on the run for 15 years sentenced for crash that killed Indy teen

INDIANAPOLIS -- A fugitive who had been on the run for 15 years recently learned his sentence for his role in a deadly crash that left a teen dead in Indianapolis. Israel Espinosa received a two-year sentence on Thursday in Marion Superior Court 32 after he pleaded guilty to a felony count of reckless homicide. In exchange, the state dismissed the following charges that were pending against him in the case, including: Charges were initially filed against Espinosa after he was arrested in Oklahoma on Sept. 26, 2025. He had been wanted since Nov. 27, 2010, when officials said his Nissan Altima struck an SUV that was stopped at a traffic light in the area of Shelby Street and Madison Avenue. The crash left 16-year-old Megan Ratliff dead, who was a passenger in the SUV. Court documents show that officers arrived on the scene and found Ratliff pinned underneath the vehicle after she was partially ejected. Officers then spoke with the driver of the SUV, who reported that she noticed headlights approaching behind her at a “high rate of speed.” Additional evidence determined that Espinosa was traveling south on Madison Avenue before the Nissan struck the SUV from behind, causing it to spin and flip over. FBI officials said empty alcohol containers were allegedly found inside Espinosa’s Nissan as beer was reportedly “spilled throughout the vehicle interior.” In addition to these charges, FBI officials said Espinosa had reentered the United States without legal permission after previously being deported. The family of Megan Ratliff previously shared the following statement with FOX59/CBS4 following Espinosa’s arrest: “We would like everyone to know how much we appreciate all of the support and love we are receiving by this news. However, this is a very difficult, heavy and confusing time for us right now so please be patient with us as we process and comfort each other. Again from the bottom of our hearts, thank you so much for all the support and love.”