Current:Home > ContactRetired police chief killed in hit-and-run died in 'cold and callous' way: Family -WealthX
Retired police chief killed in hit-and-run died in 'cold and callous' way: Family
View
Date:2025-04-11 12:07:47
As two teenagers face murder charges in an alleged intentional hit-and-run that killed a retired police chief who was biking in Las Vegas, the victim's family is reeling from the "cold and callous" way he died.
Andreas "Andy" Probst, 64, a former police chief for Bell, California, died after a vehicle slammed into him while riding in a designated bike lane last month, authorities said. Clark County Sheriff Kevin McMahill called it a "senseless murder," with the two suspects accused of intentionally striking Probst and then leaving him for dead.
"We are beside ourselves with the tragic loss of my husband and our children's father," the Probst family said in a statement to ABC News on Tuesday. "There are no words in this world that can express how truly devastated and heartbroken we are. Andy was a one-of-a-kind man, and for two individuals to take his life in such a cold and callous way is sick."
"We are praying that justice is served," they said.
Probst served in law enforcement for more than 35 years, his daughter said at a press briefing last week, calling him a man of "honor and integrity" who was a "Little League dad" and "honorary member of Girl Scouts."
The two teens -- Jesus Ayala, 18, and Jzamir Keys, 16 -- are accused of committing a series of crimes the morning of Aug. 14 -- four car thefts and three hit-and-runs, including the one that killed Probst, authorities said.
Both have been charged with murder with use of a deadly weapon, battery with use of a deadly weapon and attempted murder with use of a deadly weapon. Ayala, who is accused of driving a stolen Hyundai Electra during Probst's alleged hit-and-run, is also charged with leaving the scene of a crash and possession of a stolen vehicle, among other charges.
MORE: Suspect sought in murder of 26-year-old tech CEO: Police
Police said Keys was driving during the first hit-and-run and, while a passenger, recorded footage of the vehicle striking Probst.
Both are being tried as adults, prosecutors said.
The two teens appeared in court Tuesday and continue to be held without bail. Ayala's preliminary hearing has been scheduled for Oct. 10, while Keys' was set for Nov. 8.
Ayala's public defender, David Westbrook, declined to comment on the case when contacted by ABC News.
The latest court appearances came as the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department this week released the 911 calls made in connection with their alleged crime spree.
The suspects are accused of initially hitting a 72-year-old bicyclist. The man called 911 around 5:27 a.m. PT to report that a car "just ran me over on my bicycle" then "took off."
"He ran me over on purpose," the victim said. "He got behind me, I was watching in my rearview on my bicycle, and I'm going, 'Oh s---,' and I got as far to the right, up against the curb as I could."
"I was hoping that maybe the police can make a connection because he could have killed me," said the man, who according to police suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was treated on scene.
MORE: Man charged with murder after killing his sister and 6-year-old niece in head-on car crash
The suspects are then accused of intentionally striking a Toyota Corolla, whose driver suffered non-threatening injuries, before fleeing and hitting Probst in the Hyundai Elantra.
The first call reporting the crash involving Probst came in around 6:03 a.m. PT when a woman reported a man was hit by a car outside her apartment.
"I think the man may be dead," she said.
Around 6:05 a.m. PT, Probst's Apple Watch apparently called 911 to report that the owner had "taken a hard fall and is not responding to their watch," then provided an address.
More calls followed. Among them, around 6:13 a.m. PT, a person called 911 to report a vehicle speeding down the road "only on three wheels" that nearly crashed in an intersection.
At 6:17 a.m. PT, a driver bringing his children to school reported the vehicle abandoned, still running. "The windshield looks like they hit someone," the man said.
veryGood! (875)
Related
- Brianna LaPaglia Reveals The Meaning Behind Her "Chickenfry" Nickname
- Video shows New Yorkers detaining man accused of hitting 10 pedestrians with SUV
- A new EcoWarrior Barbie, supposedly from Mattel, drew headlines. It was a hoax.
- Family pleads for help in search for missing Georgia mother of 4
- Can Bill Belichick turn North Carolina into a winner? At 72, he's chasing one last high
- This Northern Manhattan Wetland Has Faced Climate-Change-Induced Erosion and Sea Level Rise. A Living Shoreline Has Reimagined the Space
- Niger’s civil society mobilizes the nation to fight for freedom from foreign interference
- Drexel men’s basketball player Terrence Butler found dead in his apartment
- South Korea's acting president moves to reassure allies, calm markets after Yoon impeachment
- 13 injured in South Korea when a man rams a car onto a sidewalk, stabs pedestrians
Ranking
- Federal Spending Freeze Could Have Widespread Impact on Environment, Emergency Management
- Deep-red Arizona county rejects proposal to hand-count ballots in 2024 elections
- US military may put armed troops on commercial ships in Strait of Hormuz to stop Iran seizures
- 2 Alabama inmates killed while working on road crew for state
- Jamie Foxx gets stitches after a glass is thrown at him during dinner in Beverly Hills
- The Miami-Dade police chief and his wife argued before he shot himself, bodycam footage shows
- Leah Remini sues Church of Scientology, alleging harassment, intimidation, surveillance, and defamation
- Kentucky governor says backlash against departing education chief makes it harder to find successor
Recommendation
All That You Wanted to Know About She’s All That
Does being in a good mood make you more generous? Researchers say yes and charities should take note
Body found in Rio Grand buoy barrier, Mexico says
New York City train derailment leaves several passengers with minor injuries
NFL Week 15 picks straight up and against spread: Bills, Lions put No. 1 seed hopes on line
Husband arrested after wife's body parts found in 3 suitcases
DeSantis-controlled Disney World oversight district slashes diversity, equity initiatives
'Big Brother' 2023 schedule: When do Season 25 episodes come out?