Charges have been dropped in a crash that killed a Vanderburgh County mother, and her family is now demanding justice.
VANDERBURGH COUNTY, Ind. (WEVV) — A young mother is gone, a Kentucky man no longer faces charges, and a family says they’re still searching for answers after a five-month legal roller coaster that ended just days before trial.
On June 16, investigators with the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office said a northbound box truck crossed the center line on Saint Joseph Avenue and hit a southbound SUV head-on.
The crash killed 31-year-old Maria Guetling, a wife and mother of two. Her infant son, who was strapped in a rear car seat, survived.
“Sometimes you don’t realize how much a memory is worth until something like this happens,” said Maria’s sister-in-law, Jenny Fisher.
Deputies initially reported that the truck’s driver, 24-year-old Malik Stafford of Louisville, showed several signs of cannabis impairment. A VCSO Drug Recognition Expert noted indicators of marijuana use, and authorities said both a urine screen and an oral swab tested positive for THC.
Investigators said Stafford almost admitted to smoking marijuana the day before the crash.
Sheriff Noah Robinson said there was “every good faith expectation” the blood results would confirm impairment. “There were a number of indicators that would normally have qualified for probable cause and, in fact, do qualify as probable cause to make an immediate arrest,” Robinson said.
Deputies took Stafford into custody while his blood sample went out for further testing.
But despite the early signs, multiple rounds of additional toxicology tests came back negative, showing no THC or other impairing substances in Stafford’s system.
Vanderburgh County Prosecutor Diana Moers said her office couldn’t move forward without solid evidence. “I can’t meet the burden if I have a blood test that’s negative for any THC or other substances that would cause impairment,” Moers said.
With trial just days away, the prosecutor dropped all charges. Stafford was released after spending five months in jail.
Stafford’s attorney, Scott Adams of Suhre and Associates, told 44News, “There was nothing reckless about his driving. There was nothing negligent about his driving. And there was certainly nothing criminal about his driving. It’s as clear as the, not one, not two, but three different lab reports all showed.”
Maria’s family says the decision feels like a betrayal.
“I feel like if they don’t have a slam-dunk case, they’re not trying it. And I think one person making that decision is unfair. Otherwise, what’s the point in having a jury?” Fisher said.
The family wants to know why Stafford spent five months in jail when the case never went before jurors. The timing also hurt — charges were dropped two days before Thanksgiving and about a week before trial.
“As a prosecutor, that’s an elected position. It is your responsibility to defend the people who elected you. And I don’t feel like Maria is getting any justice,” Jenny told 44News.
The family wants people to remember Maria beyond the legal battle.
“Maria is one of the most genuine people you will ever meet,” Jenny said. “Always laughing, always joking. You rarely ever see her without a smile on her face. And she’d do anything for anyone.”
Stafford is now waiting for his record to be expunged. His attorney says he has been extremely emotional about what happened. Adams added, “A lady lost her life. With two small children and a husband at home. So much life ahead of her. He [Stafford] did not miss that. He understood that very clearly.”
Maria’s family says their fight isn’t over. They plan to keep pushing for what they believe is right — and some local officials are supporting them.
“The Indiana State Police did an excellent job reviewing that truck. There is a possibility that the load wasn’t secured correctly, which may have made the vehicle more difficult to control. So, the family has some civil remedies that are very much available to them, and the Sheriff’s Office will provide every measure of assistance to ensure that they receive some measure of justice,” Sheriff Robinson said.
Prosecutor Diana Moers said the case has been one of the toughest her office has handled. “This case is one that will stick with us forever. I pray for peace and healing for all of those affected by this crash, and the tragic loss of loving wife and mother, Maria Guetling.”
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