Driver in crash ‘really cares’

On the morning of July 7, Murray’s truck plowed into a bus stop in Las Vegas, killing one woman and seriously maiming another.

Murray, who authorities said was on prescription painkillers at the time of the crash, has an extensive history of driving under the influence.

He has four driving under the influence convictions out of Texas and in another two instances had drunken driving charges dropped. He also has minor traffic violations in Las Vegas.

But his family said Murray isn’t the reckless killer he’s being made out to be.

"There’s a good person in there who really cares about what happened," said Keri Stokes, Murray’s stepdaughter.

Stokes’ description is in stark contrast to the public picture of Murray. She said he’s the primary caregiver of her mother, who suffers from bipolar disorders, and is a loving grandfather to his grandchildren.

Murray moved to Las Vegas about five years ago to make a fresh start. An electrician, Murray takes prescription drugs for a back injury, Stokes said.

He stopped drinking after his last driving under the influence conviction in 1999 and recently joined the Mormon church, she said.

Stokes, who lives in Texas, said she barely recognized a photo of Murray that appeared in the Review-Journal.

The photo showed Murray wearing a navy blue prison uniform and shackles. His eyes looked dead, she said, and it appeared as if the life was sucked out of him.

"The grief has to be killing him as a person," Stokes said. "I know no one is suffering worse than he is."

Porsche Hughes would disagree with that statement.

Hughes, 26, was one of the women Murray is accused of hitting with his truck at the bus stop. The other, 55-year-old Patricia Hoff, died.

Hughes is in recovery at Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center and expects to remain there for several more months.

Speaking by telephone, Hughes said her left leg was amputated a little below the knee and she is afraid she might lose her right leg.

"He’s not suffering. He still has two legs," Hughes said.

A mother of a 4-year-old son and 1-year-old daughter, Hughes said she is trying to remain upbeat. She feels lucky to be alive but isn’t looking forward to months of physical rehabilitation.

"I accept it, but I shouldn’t have to be doing this. I should be chilling at home," she said.

Murray remains locked up in the county jail.

The Clark County District Attorney’s office charged Murray with two counts of driving under the influence causing substantial bodily harm or death and one count of vehicular manslaughter.

Under Nevada law, if Murray is convicted he could spend 25 years to life in prison because he has three prior driving under the influence convictions.

A Las Vegas justice of the peace set bail for Murray at $500,000, but it’s not likely he will come up with the money.

Murray’s crash captured the public’s attention in part because of his past driving record and because authorities said he was under the influence of drugs at the time.

Murray now joins the list of tragic crashes involving drivers who killed people while driving under the influence.

That includes Jessica Williams, who killed six teens in 2000 after she struck them with her vehicle. Williams had marijuana in her system at the time of the crash. She was sentenced to 18 to 48 years in prison.

The list also includes Veronica Schmidt, who lost control of her vehicle in 2005 and crashed into a bus stop, killing four. She had the prescription drug Xanax in her system. Schmidt entered an Alford plea to reckless driving and driving under the influence of prescription drugs. Schmidt received 8 months house arrest and was to complete community service. In December, she was sentenced to 180 days for not completing her community service.

In May 2007, Ronald Jayne blew through a stop sign at Farm Road and Tenaya Way, killing five and injuring three others. He was sentenced to 15 to 45 years in prison.

Theresa Murray, Murray’s wife, said he shouldn’t be on the list of drivers who kill because they drove under the influence.

Theresa Murray said Murray has been taking prescription painkillers for years because of his injury and knows the effects they have on him.

She also said Murray didn’t appear to be intoxicated or high when he left the house on July 7. If he was, she wouldn’t have let him drive.

Theresa Murray has a hard time speaking about her husband without crying. She said she had grown dependant on Murray because of her mental health issues. She said Murray could have sat at home and collected disability because of his back injury but instead chose to work and be productive.

She also said Murray didn’t have to tell authorities that he had taken prescription drugs at the scene of the accident but he is a naturally honest person.

According to a Las Vegas police report, Murray didn’t smell of alcohol but appeared unsteady on his feet. He told police he had taken Valium and Percocet the night before the crash.

Theresa Murray said she visited Murray in the county jail last week and that he was devastated.

"He’s so remorseful. Just mentioning it, he just broke down. I’ve never seen him like that," she said.

That is little comfort to Robin Wynkoop, whose mother was killed in the crash.

Wynkoop held funeral services for Hoff on Sunday and had her body cremated. Wynkoop said her young children still ask her where their grandmother is.

"He’s in prison but he still get’s to breathe and sleep," she said of Murray. "My mom is gone. My mom is in a vase."

Contact reporter David Kihara at dkihara @reviewjournal.com or 702-380-1039.