A Williamsburg man was under the influence of alcohol, speeding and operating a motor vehicle while his license was suspended for driving while under the influence when he hit another vehicle on I-75 nearly two years ago killing a two-year-old and seriously injuring the child’s mother.
It took jurors about one hour and 45 minutes Thursday afternoon to convict Matthew Paul Croley, 36, of the wanton murder of Patrick Flores, and first-degree assault for injuries caused to Flores’ mother during the crash.
The jury also convicted Croley on three counts of first-degree wanton endangerment for endangering Flores three siblings, who were also in the vehicle at the time of the crash, and for operating a vehicle while his license was suspended for driving while under the influence for an incident a few months earlier.
Commonwealth’s Attorney Ronnie Bowling said he was not surprised by the verdict.
“We were very confident in the strength of our case. It was very well investigated and coordinated. Kentucky State Police did a wonderful job putting everything together with the help of Chad Foley from the Williamsburg Police Department. We are just glad we were able to answer all their questions and get them to pull the lever on murder,” Bowling said about the verdict.
The three-day trial ended after jurors deliberated needing about 30 additional minutes to recommend a total sentence of 20 years in prison, which was the least that Croley could have received for wanton murder. He could have received a sentence up to life in prison.
“I would just say that Matthew Croley, since I met him, has always maintained that he just wanted to get what he deserved. I believe that 20 years is a satisfactory result both for him, the defense and society as well,” defense attorney Jeremy Bryant said early Thursday evening after the verdict and sentence were announced.
In regard to the 20-year prison sentence, Bowling said that he doesn’t prosecute a case with a particular sentence in mind.
“I just always want to make sure that the sentence is what the jury thinks is fair and it does respect what was lost. In this case there is really no number that can replace the life of a child. We just more than anything hope that the victim’s family gets some peace from it and this acts as a deterrent for other people in Whitley County before they get behind the wheel of a car while intoxicated. There are real consequences,” Bowling added.
On Jan. 31, 2024, Croley was driving on I-75 just before midnight when he struck a car in the rear while attempting to pass a semi.
Flores was ejected from the vehicle and found deceased at the scene. His mother had to be flown out by emergency medical helicopter, was in ICU for nine days and had five surgeries.
Bowling told jurors in his closing argument that Croley was going at least 94 mph with a blood alcohol level at least twice the legal limit.
Co-defendant Jayna Vorwerk, 24, of Arizona, was charged with facilitation to commit murder, facilitation to first-degree assault, and three counts of facilitation to first-degree wanton endangerment. She is scheduled to be tried separately on Sept. 1.
Croley allegedly initially threatened her to take responsibility for the wreck, which she allegedly did at one point.
For more details about the trial, see next Wednesday’s edition of the News Journal.
