Man gets 15 to 55 years in crash that killed pair

Tuesday, May 31, 2005 | 8:48 a.m.

A 24-year-old man who was fleeing from police in a stolen car and collided with another car, killing a mother and daughter, was sentencing to 15 to 55 years in prison by District Judge Jesse Walsh on Friday.

Morrison had previously pleaded guilty to two counts of driving under the influence causing death and one count of failure to stop required on signal of police officer for the deaths of 42-year-old Marisa Djaya and her daughter, 14-year-old Putri Marsitaningrum, on Nov. 2.

Morrison was determined to be under the influence of marijuana at the time of the incident.

Deputy District Attorney Christopher Lee said the sentence sends a message to others.

"Some people think it's (marijuana) a harmless drug, a victimless crime, but this is an example of how dangerous it really is," Lee said.

Lee said Morrison's sentence was made more severe because of a recent change in the sentencing range for failure to stop on signal of police officer, which now is two to 15 years in prison.

"This sends a clear message that if you run from the police the consequences are much more severe," Lee said.

Morrison's voice trembled in court Friday as he said he was sorry for his actions and sorry for the grief he has caused the victims' family.

Concluding a high-speed chase of about half a mile, Morrison, driving a stolen Cadillac, failed to stop at a red light and collided with the Ford Escort driven by Djaya.

Morrison was going about 60 mph at the time, police said. Djaya died at University Medical Center a short time later, and her daughter died at the scene.

Morrison was originally charged with two counts each of involuntary manslaughter, reckless driving, driving under the influence causing death or substantial bodily harm and one count each of grand larceny auto, possession of a stolen vehicle, stop required on signal of police officer and assault with a deadly weapon.

Lee said Morrison was on probation on drug charges in Illinois and was in Nevada illegally at the time he committed his crimes. He said Morrison was denied interstate compact with Nevada, but came to the state anyway.