My name is Chris McKowen, and I was Kevin’s step dad, having known and loved him since he was in 2nd grade. Kevin was an amazing man: kind, generous and loving to family, friends and coworkers. It is a truism to say that he is deeply missed by all who knew him.

I will never forget the night Kevin’s mother and I received the phone call about the accident, and that according to the doctors, “he might not make it.” I felt like God had dealt me a “sucker punch” … something I feel to this day.

I believe that Jazz remains in denial regarding the seriousness of his crime; that any claims made by Jazz Hayhurst about feeling remorse and being “in recovery” are merely strategies for minimizing his actions that killed Kevin. Jazz has never expressed remorse for his actions. This is unconscionable.

I want the Community to know what Jazz did; that he sped toward Kevin … while in the wrong lane … for a quarter mile, despite having ample opportunity to re-enter the correct lane … and did so while driving with a suspended license (from past DUI infractions) … he then crashed into Kevin.

And yet, due to a legal technicality (error), Jazz is now free. Where is the justice in that? Where is the sense of “balance,” of “healing” in that?