Nathan Morrow
A driver who admits causing a fatal collision more than two years ago on Columbus’ far west side has been sentenced to 11 years in prison.
Nathan F. Morrow, 37, said in Bartholomew Superior Court 1 that he was responsible for the Dec. 5, 2019 head-on crash that took the life of Richard D. Walters, 58, of Columbus.
A police investigation indicates Morrow’s westbound 2005 Chevy Tahoe left State Road 46 near Goeller Boulevard, traveled over a 10-inch high median before entering the eastbound lanes and striking Walters’ 2008 Honda Civic head-on.
Walters was taken to Columbus Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival, court documents state. His cause of death was determined to be massive blunt force trauma to the upper chest and cervical spine, Bartholomew County Coroner Clayton Nolting said.
During the sentencing, Judge James Worton said Morrow had taken what essentially amounted to a “narcotic cocktail” before he began driving the night of the fatality. Tests indicated the defendant had taken amphetamine, which is a stimulant; midazolam, which is used for sedation; oxycodone, a narcotic pain reliever, and a number of chemicals associated with different varieties of marijuana, a court affidavit stated.
The defendant was originally charged with four felonies, causing death when operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated as a Level 4 felony; reckless homicide as a Level 5 felony; possession of a narcotic drug as a Level 6 felony and possession of marijuana with a previous offense, also a Level 6 felony. He was also charged with a misdemeanor charge of possession of paraphernalia.
But on Nov. 19, 2021, Morrow accepted a plea agreement allowing him to plead guilty only to one felony, death when operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated. The Level 4 felony is punishable by two to 12 years in prison, as well as a $10,000 fine.
While all other charges were dropped as part of the plea agreement, Morrow’s sentence is only one year less than the maximum allowed by law. In addition, so many claims have already been filed asking for restitution that Worton extended the time that such claims can be filed with the court.
“I feel that justice has been done,” said Pam Walters, the widow of the victim, after the hearing had adjourned.
“Well, I don’t,” said her daughter, California resident Shannon Walters. “This should have never been allowed to get to this point.”
Shannon Walters, a trauma nurse, was referring to a statement made by Worton directly to the defendant regarding Morrow’s lengthy history of drug abuse.
“It was a sad and unfortunate escalation when another person had to die because of you,” the judge said. Worton then looked the defendant in the eye and spoke in a loud, distinct voice.
“Let me repeat: Another person is dead because of you!” said Worton, who didn’t say another word nor take his eyes off the defendant for about five seconds before he continued with the hearing.
Aggravating circumstances cited by the judge in determining the sentence include a lengthy degree of criminal behavior, a number of probation revocations, multiple refusals to seek drug treatment, physical and verbal altercations with first responders at the accident scene and in the emergency room and the tragic consequences of his actions to a large number of people.
Nash allowed eight family members, as well as one friend, to read impact statements to the court. Most spoke about what a hard-working, compassionate and enjoyable person victim Rick Walters was – and how his children and grandchildren will be adversely impacted forever by his death.
When Shannon Walters said it was Morrow’s drug addiction that caused her father’s death, Morrow started shaking his head back and forth, as if to deny her allegation. But when the victim’s daughter said the defendant would have to answer to God for what he had done, Morrow nodded in agreement – and began crying.
At the time of his arrest over two years ago, Morrow had a Bloomington address. But the most recent online records show he had been living in the Louisville, Kentucky area while out on bond.
