Alaska prosecutors have decided against pursuing a third trial in the case of an Unalaska man charged with criminally negligent homicide in the deaths of two teenagers, Deputy Attorney General John Skidmore confirmed Thursday.
ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Alaska prosecutors have decided against pursuing a third trial in the case of an Unalaska man charged with criminally negligent homicide in the deaths of two teenaged girls in 2019, Deputy Attorney General John Skidmore confirmed Thursday.
Dustin Ruckman, 25, faced two counts tied to the deadly crash near Unalaska that killed 16-year-old Karly McDonald and 18-year-old Kiara Renteria Haist. March 31 in the case against Ruckman stemming from the May 9, 2019, crash near Ulakta Head on Mount Ballyhoo.
“Jimmer and I are disappointed in the lack of responsibility as well as the lack of contrition,” Alyssa McDonald said in a statement. “The legal system needs to be overhauled and in the area of reckless driving three strikes you’re out. It’s not unlike driving drunk.
“I’ll be moving forward in the coming year to begin work on legislation that will change the laws. If parents can’t figure how how to reign in their children who are driving, then the laws should better protect the public. In closing, the best we can do is try to keep the memory alive of Karly and Kiara in the form of our trade school scholarships for our graduates.
The Prosecutors alleged Ruckman drove into a steep overlook area before the truck went over the edge. Authorities have said both girls died at the scene. Ruckman has maintained he was ejected as the truck went down while the teens remained inside. Ruckman was indicted in June 2020 on several charges, including two counts of manslaughter, two counts of criminally negligent homicide and one count of reckless driving.
Prosecutors narrowed the case in 2024, leaving the two criminally negligent homicide counts that are now being retried. A jury heard the case last year, but Superior Court Judge Thomas Matthews declared a mistrial April 11, 2025, after jurors deliberated for five days and could not reach a unanimous verdict. The case has been moved and retried in Anchorage amid concerns about picking an impartial jury in Unalaska.
A post-trial status hearing had been scheduled to determine the next steps, but Skidmore’s confirmation indicates the state is ending its efforts to retry the case. Man hospitalized with serious injuries following frightening Slush Cup crash, family saysPFD reduced to $1,000 in new version of operating budgetData Drought: Why Alaskans are needed
Unalaska Crash Alaska Crash Car Crash Cliff Crash Alaska Court Case Murder Homicide Alaska News Ktuu Ktvf
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Iowa university choir to perform in AnchorageA group of Iowa choir students is headed to Alaska to share their music with Anchorage.
Read more »
Sunshine returns to Southcentral, with widespread rain building into SoutheastToday's Alaska weather forecast from Alaska's Weather Source.
Read more »
Josh Duhamel welcomes 3rd baby, his 2nd with wife Audra MariSunday Rose briefly unfollowed and then re-followed her father, Keith Urban, on Instagram following her parents’ split. Channing Tatum shared a series of cryptic social media posts after ex Zoë Kravitz’s engagement to Harry Styles. Kyle Cooke criticized West Wilson for not supporting Amanda Batula during the “Summer House” Season 10 reunion.
Read more »
Higher temperatures spur Alaska’s invasive pike to eat more, a bad sign for salmonA University of Alaska Fairbanks study focusing on the Deshka River found that the predators have become even more voracious as the climate has warmed.
Read more »
Mountain View neighborhood won't have clean water before Sunday, May 3rd, officials sayOfficials: Mountain View neighborhood won't have clean water before Sunday, May 3rd
Read more »
State won’t seek to try man a third time in Unalaska cliff crash deaths caseTwo previous jury trials ended with a judge declaring a mistrial.
Read more »