Friends gather at the crash site where Dakota Demott was killed.
[KHTS] Two men were sentenced to prison Thursday in a fatal crash that killed Dakota Demott the night of Jan. 10, 2012.
Colt Doherty, who was driving the car Demott was in, received six years in state prison. Thomas Joseph Vensko, the man he was accused of racing, received a sentence of four years, with five years of formal probation. Vensko’s prison sentence was suspended and he was ordered to serve 180 days in a Los Angeles County jail.
Both pleaded guilty to one count of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence, according to District Attorney’s Office Spokesman Greg Risling.
Dakota Demott
On the night of Jan. 10, 2012, Demott and Doherty were traveling in a Ford Mustang at a high rate of speed on Sand Canyon Road, according to officials.
When Doherty entered a curve, he lost control of the car and collided with a large oak tree, the impact of which ejected Demott from the vehicle and threw him into a fence. Demott was declared dead at the scene.
Doherty allegedly was under the influence at the time of the crash.
Doherty has been in jail since Aug. 8, 2012, in lieu of more than $1 million bail, according to Sheriff’s Department arrest records. Vensko had his bail reduced to $100,000 at a hearing in November 2012. He posted it and he was not in custody while awaiting Thursday’s hearing.
Colt Doherty
Witnesses had told deputies that there were other vehicles involved in the crash. Vensko was arrested because he was racing Doherty before the crash occurred, according to traffic investigator Deputy Mike Shapiro, at the time of the crash.
Thomas Joseph Vensko
“Even though he didn’t cause the death directly, because he was street racing, he faces the same penalty as the driver,” Shapiro explained.
Vensko had two passengers in the car with him, but they are not being charged.
The family filed a lawsuit against the city of Santa Clarita as a result of the crash.
From a previous story:
“The parties (in the lawsuit) have submitted a stipulation requesting that the matter be stayed until after the criminal proceedings,” said Joe Montes, city attorney for Santa Clarita, when questioned about the lawsuit in October. “Right now, it’s difficult for the parties to complete discovery when there are criminal proceedings ongoing.”
Montes referred an inquiry as to the damages sought by the plaintiffs to the plaintiff’s attorneys, the law firm Owen, Patterson & Owen, which is representing the Demott family in the wrongful death lawsuit.
Attorneys for the firm did not immediately respond to a request for that information.
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34 Comments
Hard lesson to learn….I’m sure all families involved are really struggling right now.
My condolensces to all the families involved. But, why is the city being sued?
Fix the typo & grammar error in the story. One cannot tell the sentence for the second man who was racing in the other car.
Initially misreported by DA. To clarify: Colt Doherty, who was driving the car Demott was in, received six years in state prison. Thomas Joseph Vensko, the man he was accused of racing, received a sentence of four years, with five years of formal probation. Vensko’s prison sentence was suspended and he was ordered to serve 180 days in a Los Angeles County jail.
Because colt dad is a cop and colt got out of multiple speeding tickets which he should have gotten tickets or arrested for and the city let him go
It’s funny you mention this because I heard (granted it’s all rumors BUT from someone close to the family) that The reason Thomas was arrested and charged is because Colt’s dad (the cop) said that if his son was going down so was Thomas.
Thomas was on the scene when it happened. They were racing and colt crashed Thomas’s stopped the car got out looked at Dakota who was already gone and drove away that is why he is getting four years
Thanks for the update I’m telling you what I know from Dakotas family
ridiculous they suspend this guy sentence..its just as much his fault..which i heard from colt himself…bs
Sad facts are no one wins!!!
but thomas walks is a win
I’d like to know why the city is being sued as well? I’m guessing the parents are suing because they think the city should have removed that tree.
It’s an oak isn’t it? I imagine that becoming a huge law suit if it is.
Yep, it’s an oak.
I hate to hear tragic stories like this. That tree has taken so many young lives.
Technically it’s the reckless driving that has taken so many lives.
Craig Jesse Jake
The tree can stay. ..please just stop racing…. my condolences to the families
Sad for all the families
Dylan Lewis
Sad.. Sorry for the families & the deceased whim list their lives ..:/
Kevin Sabatucci
Y should the city be sued for negligent inexperienced SPEEDING drivers? The parents need to pay more attention instead ! I do feel terribly sorry for the unfortunate victims, though
I grew up on that road, it’s tragic my condolences to the family. It could have been my own very easily.
im so sorry for all families,because they where only kids. by that time
Chris Walker Debbie Wouters Stach
The tree is not in the street,there is a white line there so why would the city be sued?
Could you guys please correct the spelling of Dakota’s name underneath his photo?
Horrible loss. The lawsuit against the city makes no sense. Maybe the parents should be sued for not doing their job.
A sad and tragic situation for all involved. The tree is not to blame. Litigation over the tree is ridiculous, but I guess there are idiots in every village. Plus, ambulance-chasing attorneys are always looking for a sucker plaintiff.
I pray for the families.
Yep…my friends son lost his friend the same way. Racing down Topanga Canyon. These kids need to learn that just because you have a fast car, doesn’t make you a professional race driver. Two or Three years of driving experience doesn’t either. It’s a sad loss for everyone.
Yep…my friends son lost his friend the same way. Racing down Topanga Canyon. These kids need to learn that just because you have a fast car, doesn’t make you a professional race driver. Two or Three years of driving experience doesn’t either. It’s a sad loss for everyone.
@ Wardell Db Jasper … Oh well if you heard it from the other guilty party then yes…it must be true.
That’s all