Wrong-way driver sentenced to 14 years for death of Phoenix fire dispatcher

by Christopher Silavong, Arizona Republic | azcentral.com, Feb. 26, 2016 (written on deadline)

A wrong-way driver was sentenced to 14 years in prison Friday for causing the January 2015 death of Megan Lange, a young mother and Phoenix Fire Department dispatcher.

Stephen B. Martin pleaded guilty in early November 2015 to charges of second-degree murder and three counts of endangerment.

The courtroom on Friday was filled with emotion and tears. Many of Lange's family, friends and co-workers were wearing blue T-shirts in memory of her. On the back, they read, "Sounding the 'alarm' for Megan Lange. Stop wrong way driving!"

Many supported a longer sentence for Martin, who had his mother, father and two friends present.

Martin was driving in the wrong direction on Interstate 17 near Camelback Road at about 1 a.m. on Jan. 27, 2015, when he crashed into a vehicle driven by Lange, 26, who was returning home after her shift, according to court records.

Lange suffered major trauma and was taken to a nearby hospital, where she died.

An Arizona Department of Public Safety officer saw a white SUV driving southbound on I-17 north and had set up a traffic break to prevent other vehicles from driving toward the vehicle. Martin, in a 1998 Chevy Tahoe, swerved to avoid hitting the DPS vehicle and collided with Lange.

When DPS officers arrived, they asked Martin three questions: Was the SUV his? Was he driving the wrong way? Had he been drinking?

Martin replied yes to each.

Lab tests show that Martin's blood-alcohol content was at 0.313 percent, documents said. The threshold when anyone is considered legally drunk is 0.08 percent in Arizona.

Lange was survived by husband Patrick Lange and two young sons. Sean was 2 at the time of her death and Miles was 6 months.

Throughout the proceedings, soft sounds of crying could be heard as family members from both sides made statements. There wasn't a hand without a tissue. Everyone who spoke on behalf of Lange requested that Martin receive the maximum sentence of 25 years and said that Martin never had expressed remorse.

Megan's parents, Debbie and Chris Brown, recounted her character and desire to help her community.

Debbie Brown said that said Martin was getting off easy with the plea deal.

"She was stolen from a lot of people that needed her," she said.

James Frazier, Megan's uncle and supervisor, said he received a phone call alerting him to the crash. He said it was "one of the worst accidents" he had ever seen.

Patrick Lange told the court about his and Megan's struggle to conceive children. When she gave birth to Miles prematurely, there was a risk that he wouldn't live, he said.

"Miles is starting to walk now, and she isn't here for that," he said. "My heart has been ripped open. The most prominent memory I have of her is bloody tears, empty eyes and a swollen face."

Vicky Lopez, one of Martin's defense attorneys, contested the idea that Martin had shown no remorse.

"I have never seen a human being that devastated," said Lopez of Martin when he was told what happened. "He was suffering so deeply from despair, I considered putting him on suicide watch."

Martin requested numerous times to contact the Langes to express his remorse but was barred because of a court order, Lopez said.

Scott Johnson, a friend of 12 years, told the court, "I want to dispel the my that this man is a cold, heartless monster. He's a good man who makes bad decisions."

Tiffany Brady, deputy county attorney, presented evidence that would have been shown during a trial. She played the a 911 call about a white SUV driving in the wrong direction on I-17; pictures of the accident and the caved-in driver's side in Lange's car after she was pulled out; and a recreated animation showing how the accident happened.

Todd Nolan, another attorney for Martin, asked the judge to consider many of the things Martin has done throughout the proceedings as mitigating factors to his sentence.

The attorney asked to consider that Martin did not have a felony conviction, he behaved well during his time in jail and in court, he cooperated with the police, and he accepted responsibility for what happened.

Maricopa Superior Court Judge Warren Granville gave Martin credit for 395 days he spent in jail before his sentencing. Martin also received three years of probation on the counts of endangerment.

Martin stated that he took away "a beautiful life" and that he accepted the family's rage and sadness.

"I am truly and deeply sorry," Martin said. "I can only hope that one day, I am worthy of forgiveness."

SOURCE