Man punished for causing fatal accident resulting in death of Valley dad, crippling one
Today in court, Richard McKinney was sentenced to 10.5 years for manslaughter and 7.5 years for aggravated assault for causing a fatal crash in 2024. The crash, which occurred near 43rd and Northern avenues, resulted in the death of Adam Bates. Bates, along with his daughter and parents, was rear-ended by McKinney's speeding SUV while on their way to see Christmas lights. Unfortunately, Adam's father, Fred, was left paralyzed, and his mother, Shelley, sustained a brain injury in the tragic incident. Fred expressed the challenges of facing the reality of McKinney's actions, emphasizing the reckless speeding at almost double the legal limit with no apparent justification. Phoenix police reported findings of alcohol and THC from Cannabis in McKinney's blood, highlighting the circumstances of the crash. McKinney pleaded guilty to various charges, including manslaughter and endangerment, in a plea agreement in November 2025. In memory of Adam, the Bates family has taken up community initiatives such as adopting 39th Avenue for clean-up events and establishing a memorial fund to support Adam's children's participation in summer camps. To learn more about the Bates family's journey, watch the featured video below.
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