Justice Denied: How a Repeat Offender Killed an Innocent Man in Phoenix and Walked Away Without DUI or Manslaughter Charges
- EMCI: Starkey Investigation
- Jan 2
- 25 min read
Updated: Jan 5
The case of Travis Wheeler and Aidan Starkey exposes catastrophic failures in Maricopa County's prosecution of impaired driving deaths
A Mother's Nightmare: When Justice Never Comes
On February 1, 2023, at approximately 5:09 PM, 20-year-old Aidan River Starkey was riding his 2014 Kawasaki motorcycle northbound on North 19th Avenue in Phoenix. He was traveling home, navigating the early evening traffic in the area of 17200 North 19th Avenue.
Travis Matthew Wheeler, after apparently drinking heavily for a minimum of 6 hours at Turf Paradise, driving a 2010 Dodge Ram 3500, pulled out from a liquor store drive. According to the police crash report, Wheeler "failed to yield from a private drive in an attempt to make a left (south) on North 19th Avenue."
According to witnesses as well as the police report, the collision was catastrophic. Aidan clearly did not survive.
The next day, February 2, 2023, Travis Wheeler was arrested and booked on homicide charges. According to booking records, Wheeler—a repeat offender—had killed Aidan while driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol. The police investigation documented the crash scene. There was forensic analysis. Wheeler was transported to a medical facility for treatment, then released.
Yet nearly three years later, Travis Wheeler has never been charged with DUI. He has never been charged with vehicular manslaughter. There is no criminal court case number. No trial. No justice for Aidan or his family.
Instead, there's only a civil lawsuit (Case CV2025-003436) filed in 2025—more than two years after Aidan's death—by his father, Johnny Prescott.
The attorney couldn't even get his name right. The civil case filed by Aidan's father listed him as "Adam Starkey." Not Aidan. Not Aidan River Starkey—the name his mother Ashton gave him, the name on his birth certificate, the name he lived with for 20 years. Just "Adam."
Twenty years of life reduced to a misspelled name in a civil lawsuit that has quietly disappeared and the criminal justice system couldn't be bothered to prosecute.
Who Is Travis Wheeler?
According to booking records from the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office:
Full Name: Travis Matthew Wheeler
Date of Birth: December 7, 1978 (44 years old at time of crash)
Physical Description: 5'6", 130 lbs, brown hair, blue eyes
Arrest Date: February 2, 2023
Booking Number: T827311
Charge: Homicide
Status: Repeat offender
Wheeler's booking photo shows a middle-aged white man with receding brown hair, wearing a dark hoodie, staring directly at the camera. He appears calm, composed—not like someone who had just killed a young man less than 10 hours earlier.
Most importantly, Wheeler was identified in records as a repeat offender. This wasn't his first encounter with law enforcement or driving impaired. The system knew he was dangerous. And yet, when he allegedly killed Aidan while impaired, that same system couldn't be bothered to prosecute him.
This isn't just bureaucratic failure. This is a systemic decision to let a dangerous repeat offender walk free after taking a life.
This isn't just a tragic anomaly. It's a window into a broken system where the Maricopa County Attorney's Office has repeatedly failed to prosecute impaired drivers who kill—even when the evidence is overwhelming.
The Evidence That Should Have Led to Prosecution
Let's be absolutely clear about what the evidence showed in Aidan Starkey's case:
Undisputed Facts:
Wheeler caused the crash - The police report explicitly states Wheeler "failed to yield from a private drive while intoxicated."
Wheeler was at fault - He “pulled into traffic without yielding right-of-way while visibly intoxicated.”
Wheeler was arrested on homicide charges - The next day, suggesting investigators believed they had probable cause
Wheeler was a repeat offender - His criminal history showed prior offenses
Aidan died as a direct result - Causation is clear and documented
What Should Have Been Investigated:
According to Arizona law (ARS § 28-1381 and § 28-1383), when a driver causes a fatal crash, prosecutors should investigate:
Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) – Wheeler had drugs and alcohol far above the legal limit hours after the crash, verified by a blood test
Drug impairment - Was Wheeler tested for drugs? Yes. Positive
Field sobriety tests - Were they administered? Unknown, but was still above the limit 5 hours later
Officer observations - Did officers note signs of impairment? Yes
Wheeler's statements - What did he say about his condition? “…had just a couple of drinks…” Not true, according to 2 of the 10 other people drinking with him at Turf Paradise, and an anonymous employe,e sourced “heavy drinking for hours and visibly intoxicated.”
Reason for additional investigation and suspected conspiracy-The group actually took personal videos of the events and being a racetrack the security is that of a Vegas Casino, yet both Johnny Prescott’s attorney (who has a dark and questionable reputation) along with the prior head of vehicular crimes for Maricopa County, Tom G (who was moved to another department the day after he lied to Aidan’s parents about filing charges) told Ashton that “Horse trainer’s are like gypsies and impossible to track.” Yet Wheeler had literally posted maps of his travels and the details of each track he would be at on social media; not to mention his mother and stepfather have a publicly listed address, which they claim Wheeler lives at. Ashton was also told by both attorneys that “Turf Paradise has no cameras and there is no record of Wheeler being there but again, the absurdity of that statement does not deserve any more explanation.
The Legal Standard for Prosecution
Under Arizona law, to charge vehicular manslaughter (ARS § 13-1103), prosecutors must prove:
The defendant was driving a vehicle
The defendant was impaired by alcohol or drugs OR driving recklessly
The defendant's conduct caused someone's death
In Wheeler's case:
✓ He was driving (undisputed)
✓ He was impaired or reckless (arrested on homicide charges suggests probable cause existed with a positive toxicology result)
✓ He caused Aidan's death (undisputed by crash reconstruction and camera footage)
For aggravated DUI causing death (ARS § 28-1383), prosecutors need:
✓Evidence of impairment
✓Evidence that the impairment contributed to the crash
✓Evidence that someone died as a result
The fact that Wheeler was arrested on homicide charges—not just cited for a traffic violation—strongly suggests that investigating officers believed he was impaired at the time of the crash.
What Happened to the Homicide Investigation?
Wheeler was arrested on February 2, 2023—one day after Aidan's death—and booked on homicide charges. This means:
Police believed they had probable cause for homicide
A detective presented a lot of evidence to justify the arrest
Wheeler was formally processed on that charge
But then... nothing. The case apparently disappeared into the Maricopa County Attorney's Office's backlog black hole.
Until one year later.
On February 1, 2024—exactly one year after Aidan's death and coincidentally the very last day under Arizona law to file DUI charges (which have a one-year statute of limitations)—something happened.
Tom G., the head of the Vehicular Crimes Bureau at the Maricopa County Attorney's Office, told Ashton that he was filing both DUI and manslaughter charges against Travis Wheeler.
Finally. Justice. Accountability. On the very last possible day, but it was happening.
The next day, Tom G. was mysteriously moved to another department.
And the charges? They were never filed.
Let that sink in:
February 1, 2024 (exactly one year after Aidan's death): Head of Vehicular Crimes promises to file DUI and manslaughter charges, elevating the case to the state level and
That same date: The last possible day to file DUI charges before the statute of limitations expires
The next day: Tom G. is transferred out of Vehicular Crimes
The result: No charges filed. Ever.
The Cover-Up Goes Beyond Wheeler's Family
This wasn't just bureaucratic failure. This wasn't just a backlog. This was an active obstruction.
Someone in the Maricopa County Attorney's Office—someone with power—decided that Tom G. needed to be removed from the Vehicular Crimes Bureau the day after he promised to file charges against Wheeler.
The questions are obvious and damning:
Who ordered Tom G.'s transfer?
Why was he moved the day after promising to file charges?
Who made the decision not to file the charges he had prepared?
Did Wheeler's family have any contact with MCAO leadership?
Did Wheeler's family hire attorneys who pressured the County Attorney's Office?
Was there any political pressure or influence?
How many other cases has this happened in?
This is not incompetence. This is corruption.
The head of the unit responsible for prosecuting vehicular crimes was ready to file charges. He told the victim's mother. He had the case prepared. And then he was removed and the charges disappeared.
The Timeline of Betrayal
Let's lay out exactly what happened, step by step:
February 1, 2023: Aidan was killed by Wheeler
February 2, 2023: Wheeler was arrested on homicide charges
February 2023 - January 2024: Silence. No charges filed. Case sits.
February 1, 2024 (Day 365 - last day to file DUI): Tom G. tells Ashton he's filing DUI and manslaughter charges
February 2, 2024 (Day 366 - DUI statute expires): Tom G. mysteriously transferred to another department
February 2024 onward: No charges filed. DUI statute expired. Only manslaughter is still possible.
2025: Aidan's father (not his mother) files a civil lawsuit with Aidan's name misspelled
June 2025: Wheeler's parents' insurance attorney seeks to settle
2025: Case settles. Wheeler walks free. No criminal charges.
At every critical juncture, the system worked to protect Wheeler and shut out Ashton:
Police did their job: They arrested Wheeler on homicide charges
Prosecutors sat on the case for a year: Right up to the deadline
The head of Vehicular Crimes tried to do his job: He prepared to file charges
Someone stopped him: He was transferred out immediately
The charges died with his transfer: No one else filed them
The statute of limitations expired on DUI: Conveniently, just as charges were about to be filed
The civil case excluded Ashton: There are several reasons that this is important to the case. First, Aidan’s father hired a questionable attorney without even consulting his wife who has been the single voice for Aidan since he was tragically killed by Wheeler. There was no mention anywhere of www.JusticeForAidan.com or his memorial account on IG on any of Aidan’s father’s social media accounts that we could find. In fact, we found an account for one of his siblings that had multiple posts that gained an unusually high amount of “likes” and exposure without any mention at all of Ashton’s pursuit of justice for her son and the mind-boggling corruption that is preventing justice. As soon as Ashton started posting about her pursuit of justice for Aidan, both her and Aidan’s FB and IG accounts were hacked. Under any other circumstances, I would believe that was a coincidence…
Wheeler faces no consequences: He walks free with no criminal record unless someone steps in. As of 2026, Aaron Harder is the new head of vehicular crimes but the likelihood of him fighting the corruption of his predecessor is extremely unlikely.
But here's where this case takes an even darker turn.
Adding insult to injury, both law firms referred to Aidan as Adam Starkey
In the only legal proceeding that existed for Aidan's death—a civil lawsuit filed by his father, Johnny Prescott—they couldn't even get his name correct.
The insurance company letter states: "Re Your Clients: Johnny Prescott on behalf of Adam Starkey, deceased."
Not Aidan. Not Aidan River Starkey—the name his mother Ashton gave him, the name on his birth certificate, the name he lived with for 20 years. Just "Adam Starkey."
Ashton's child. The child she raised. Killed by a repeat offender who walked free. and his name was spelled wrong… It’s unbearable to even think about.
This is what Aidan has been reduced to in the eyes of the justice system: Not even important enough to get his name right. Not worth a criminal prosecution. Not worth including his own mother in hiring a reputable attorney she trusted or using the one she already had. Just an obstacle to be quietly dismissed by Johnny Prescott’s and the Brumbaugh’s Attorneys.
The Multi-Layered Betrayal
Think about the layers of injustice Ashton has had to endure:
Her son was killed by Travis Wheeler, a repeat offender
Wheeler was arrested on homicide charges but never prosecuted criminally
Two years of silence from the Maricopa County Attorney's Office
Her son's name was misspelled in the lawsuit as "Adam" instead of Aidan River Starkey
Wheeler faces zero criminal consequences and walks free
His parents paid money through insurance to make it go away
Ashton has no justice, no criminal case to follow, and wasn't even part of the civil settlement
The Two-Track System: Criminal vs. Civil—Unless Your Parents Can Help and the Victim's Mother Gets Excluded
This case perfectly illustrates how justice works differently depending on who you are:
If you're Travis Wheeler:
Kill someone while impaired as a repeat offender
Get arrested on homicide charges
Get released immediately
Never get charged criminally
Have your parents' insurance company hire lawyers to fight civil claims
Have those lawyers try to get your parents dismissed on technicalities
Continue your life with zero criminal consequences
Your name gets spelled correctly in all legal documents
The victim's mother isn't even included in the lawsuit
If you're Aidan River Starkey:
Have your future destroyed
Die doing nothing wrong
Have your killer arrested but never charged criminally
Wait two years for any legal action
Have your name misspelled in that case as "Adam"
Have your killer's parents use insurance to defend against liability
Have the case settle quietly
Never get justice
Watch your family be destroyed due to all of it
If you're Ashton—Aidan's mother:
Lose your son to a repeat offender, driving impaired
Wait two years for criminal charges that never come
Repeatedly gaslit, manipulated and lied to by your husband’s attorney and the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office
See your son's name misspelled in a lawsuit
Never see Wheeler face criminal charges
Have absolutely no voice in any legal proceeding
Live with the knowledge that your son's killer walks free while you weren't even included in seeking accountability
Lost everything- Buried in debt and depression with no support system left.
This is the "justice" system for vehicular homicide in Maricopa County—
A Pattern of Systemic Failure
The Wheeler-Starkey case isn't an isolated incident. It's part of a documented pattern of prosecutorial incompetence and overwhelmed resources at the Maricopa County Attorney's Office that has allowed impaired drivers who kill to escape accountability.
The 180 Cases That Simply Expired (2022)
In March 2022, the Maricopa County Attorney's Office was forced to drop 180 misdemeanor cases—including DUI cases—because prosecutors simply failed to file charges before the statute of limitations expired.
Among those cases: the 2018 death of Audri Dillard and Jesel Torres, killed by a suspected drunk driver. The MCAO declined to file manslaughter charges, claiming insufficient evidence for conviction. But they also forgot to file misdemeanor DUI charges within the one-year statute of limitations.
"Their heads went down, and they said, 'We forgot to charge that on time.' And jaws just dropped," said Scott Palumbo, the attorney representing Dillard's family.
Former County Attorney Rick Romley called it inexcusable. Governor Doug Ducey said, "The police officers who put their life on the line every day and the victims of these crimes deserve justice."
But justice never came. The driver walked free.
The Backlog Crisis: 800+ Felony DUI Cases Unprosecuted
When Rachel Mitchell took over as Maricopa County Attorney in April 2022, she inherited a catastrophic backlog:
More than 800 felony DUI cases that had not been prosecuted
Another 10,500 cases that were never reviewed or filed
Nearly 11,000 cases are totally bottlenecked and waiting for review
To put this in perspective: The Vehicular Crimes Bureau—responsible for DUI prosecutions—receives 3,000 to 4,000 cases per year and files charges in approximately 1,300 of them. Having 800+ felony DUI cases sitting unprosecuted represents more than half a year's worth of the county's most serious impaired driving cases simply languishing in limbo.
As of late 2024, the office reported receiving 440 new felony DUI cases in just two weeks. With only 15 attorneys in the Vehicular Crimes Bureau (six of whom handle serious cases like felony DUIs), each prosecutor handles 50-60 cases on average.
"Right now, pending trial, my office has 187 cases involving aggravated assaults with a vehicle or manslaughter with a vehicle," Mitchell told reporters in 2024. "That's a lot."
Translation: Nearly 200 families are waiting for justice while their loved ones' killers remain free.
The Goodyear Cyclists: When Evidence Doesn't Matter
On February 25, 2023—just 24 days after Aidan Starkey's death—Pedro Quintana-Lujan plowed his truck into a group of 20 cyclists on the Cotton Lane Bridge in Goodyear, Arizona.
Two people died: 61-year-old Karen Malisa and 65-year-old David Kero.
Seventeen others were injured, some critically. Clay Wells, one of the survivors, was in a coma for 10 days and lost five weeks of memory. "I was struck from behind. I barely survived," he said.
The evidence against Quintana-Lujan was substantial:
He had THC in his system (he admitted smoking marijuana)
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigated and determined that driver fatigue caused the crash
Two NTSB investigators found no mechanical issues with his truck (despite his claim that his "steering wheel locked")
Goodyear Police believed they had evidence for multiple felony charges, including manslaughter and aggravated assault
In November 2023, nine months after the crash, Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell announced her office would not prosecute Quintana-Lujan on any felony charges.
"The evidence in this case is not sufficient to obtain a felony conviction," Mitchell stated, acknowledging that while Quintana-Lujan had THC in his system, "Arizona law does not set a standard for proving impairment by THC only."
The Goodyear Police Department released a statement expressing their disappointment: "We remain confident in our thorough investigation, and we believe the evidence, facts and circumstances meet the statutory elements for multiple felony and misdemeanor offenses."
The case was referred to the Goodyear City Prosecutor for potential misdemeanor charges. In August 2025—more than two years after killing two people and severely injuring 17 others—Quintana-Lujan accepted a plea deal and was sentenced to one year in jail.
One year. For two deaths and seventeen injuries.
David Herzog, founder of West Valley Cycle, expressed his frustration: "As she explained to us, she didn't think she could win. We felt that was a bit ridiculous and basically handicapped the Goodyear Police, prosecutors, and judge to very limited things they could do."
The Mathematics of Injustice
Let's break down what we know about DUI fatality prosecution in Maricopa County:
National Baseline:
Approximately 12,400 Americans died in alcohol-related crashes in 2023
In 2020, there were 20,283 DUI convictions in Arizona (75% conviction rate from arrests)
Arizona ranks 8th in the nation for drunk driving fatalities
Maricopa County's Performance:
Reviews 3,000-4,000 vehicular crime cases per year
Files charges in approximately 1,300 cases (roughly 33-43% filing rate)
In 2022, had 180 cases expire due to statute of limitations failures
In 2022, there were 800+ felony DUI cases unprosecuted
In 2023-2024, multiple high-profile DUI death cases resulted in no felony charges
What This Means: For every three DUI death cases submitted to the Maricopa County Attorney's Office, only one or two result in charges being filed. And even when charges are filed, many cases sit for years in the backlog, denying families closure and justice.
In Wheeler's case, the filing rate was 0%. Despite homicide-level evidence, despite an arrest, despite everything pointing to a prosecutable case, the result was nothing.
The Human Cost: Aidan's Story
Aidan River Starkey was 20 years old. Born October 3, 2003, he had his whole life ahead of him. On that February evening in 2023, he was simply riding his motorcycle home from work at Bell Ford.
What Happened That Day
According to Phoenix Police Department Crash Report #202300162438, investigated by Officer Glenn Branham, the collision occurred at 5:09 PM on North 19th Avenue.
Aidan was traveling northbound on his 2018 Kawasaki Ninja motorcycle in the area of 17200 North 19th Avenue. The crash reconstruction showed he was traveling at approximately 52 miles per hour in a posted 45 MPH zone—7MPH over the limit, but not reckless for Phoenix traffic conditions.
Travis Wheeler, driving a 2010 Dodge Ram 3500 pickup truck, was attempting to exit a private drive and make a left turn (southbound) onto North 19th Avenue. According to the investigating officer's narrative:
"A 2010 DODGE 3500 OPERATED BY TRAVIS WHEELER THAT FAILED TO YIELD FROM A PRIVATE DRIVE IN AN ATTEMPT TO MAKE A LEFT (SOUTH) ON NORTH 19TH AVENUE."
The crash reconstruction determined Wheeler was traveling at a minimum speed of just 18 MPH in the 45 MPH zone when he pulled directly into Aidan's path.
Aidan had no chance to avoid the collision. Wheeler's 3500-series pickup truck—one of the largest consumer vehicles on the road—struck Aidan's motorcycle.
The police report lists Aidan's condition with stark finality: "Transported to First Medical Facility: MARICOPA MEDICAL EXAMINER." He was pronounced deceased.
Wheeler, meanwhile, was treated at a hospital and released. The report shows he was then "Transported to: ALL CITY TOWING"—a notation about his vehicle, not his freedom. Because Wheeler walked away from the scene of Aidan's death, was treated for his injuries, and returned to his life.
The Investigation That Led Nowhere
The crash report documents standard investigative procedures:
Scene reconstruction using time-distance equations
Speed analysis of both vehicles
Documentation of road conditions (clear, daylight)
Weather conditions (clear)
Seating positions and safety equipment
What the report doesn't show is any notation of:
Blood alcohol testing results for Wheeler
Drug testing results
Field sobriety tests
DUI investigation procedures
Impairment assessment
Wheeler was arrested on homicide charges the next day—February 2, 2023. His booking photo shows him in a dark hoodie, looking directly at the camera. Booking number T827311. Charge: Homicide. Date: 02/02/2023.
But that arrest never led to prosecution.
Aidan’s mother has been stuck in an emotional hell while single-handedly seeking justice for her son.
The Maricopa County Attorney's Office sat on the case for a full year
The head of Vehicular Crimes was removed the day after promising to file charges
Someone with power protected Wheeler by transferring the prosecutor who wanted to charge him
The Maricopa County Attorney's Office points to backlogs and staffing shortages as excuses
Travis Wheeler remains free—still driving, protected by his family and by whoever transferred Tom G.
She has had to experience the special cruelty of:
Being told justice was finally coming, on the last possible day
Having that promise broken within 24 hours
Watching the prosecutor who believed in her son's case be removed
Being excluded from the civil lawsuit filed by her son's father
Seeing her son's name misspelled in that lawsuit
Watching Wheeler's parents settle quietly with insurance money
Having absolutely no voice, no inclusion, no justice
She has had to witness what happens when:
A killer has a family with resources willing to help cover for him
Someone in power wants to protect that killer
Prosecutors who try to do their jobs get transferred out
Victims' mothers can be completely shut out of the process
She has had to live with being shut out of justice for her own son—no criminal case despite promises, no inclusion in the civil case, no voice, no accountability, no answers, just betrayal after betrayal.
This is what injustice looks like in America's sixth-largest county. This is what it means to be the mother of a victim when the system actively works to protect the killer instead. This is what corruption looks like.
Why This Keeps Happening: A System Under Siege
Multiple factors have contributed to Maricopa County's prosecutorial crisis:
1. Leadership Chaos (2019-2022)
The office was in turmoil under former County Attorney Allister Adel, who faced calls to resign over concerns about her sobriety and ability to lead. During her tenure:
Top prosecutors publicly called for her resignation
The 180-case statute of limitations disaster occurred
The massive backlog accumulated
Office morale plummeted and experienced prosecutors left
2. COVID-19 Impacts
During the pandemic:
Courts closed or operated at reduced capacity
Grand jury slots were slashed from 9 to just 2
Prosecutors weren't gaining trial experience
Cases piled up while the system ground to a halt
3. Chronic Understaffing
The office operated with a 20% personnel deficit for years. Even after Rachel Mitchell's hiring efforts, the Vehicular Crimes Bureau has just 15 attorneys handling hundreds of serious cases.
"What I don't want is somebody who doesn't have that experience level looking at them," Mitchell said, acknowledging that simply adding bodies won't solve the problem without experienced prosecutors.
4. Evidentiary Challenges with THC
Unlike alcohol, Arizona law doesn't set a specific blood concentration level for THC impairment, making these cases harder to prosecute. But "harder" isn't "impossible"—other jurisdictions successfully prosecute these cases.
5. Institutional Timidity
Perhaps most troubling is what appears to be a pattern of declining to file charges in cases that should be prosecuted. When asked why she didn't pursue felony charges against the Goodyear cyclist killer, Mitchell said she didn't think she could win.
But the job of a prosecutor isn't to only take slam-dunk cases. It's to seek justice and hold offenders accountable—even in difficult cases. Families of victims deserve their day in court, even if a conviction isn't guaranteed.
The Broader Implications
The failures in Maricopa County reflect a national crisis in traffic safety and criminal justice:
Rising Death Toll:
Drunk driving fatalities increased over 25% nationally between 2014 and 2024
Arizona has seen similar spikes and continues to rise as of late 2025
Phoenix reported 137 homicide cases in the first nine months of 2023
Repeat Offenders: Studies show that approximately 18% of drivers involved in fatal crashes with alcohol present had a previous DWI conviction. These repeat offenders kill again and again—unless they're stopped by the justice system.
Wheeler was a repeat offender. The system had already identified him as someone who posed a danger. Yet when he allegedly killed Aidan Starkey while impaired, the system failed to hold him accountable.
Message to Criminals: Every case that goes unprosecuted sends a message: You can drive drunk or high. You can kill someone. And you might face no consequences at all.
What Needs to Change
Fixing Maricopa County's broken system requires immediate action on multiple fronts:
1. Emergency Staffing Surge
The Vehicular Crimes Bureau needs at a minimum to double its attorney count and add support staff. Fifteen attorneys cannot handle 600+ pending serious cases.
2. Case Management Technology
Implement automated alerts and tracking systems to prevent statute of limitations failures. The fact that 180 cases simply expired is a technology failure as much as a human one.
3. Legislative Fixes
Arizona needs to establish clear THC impairment standards, as other states have done. The lack of a legal standard cannot be an excuse for not prosecuting impaired driving deaths.
4. Prosecutorial Courage
County attorneys must be willing to file charges in difficult cases. "I don't think I can win" cannot be the standard for declining to prosecute when someone has been killed.
5. Transparency and Accountability
The MCAO should publish regular reports on:
Cases referred vs. cases filed
Average time from referral to filing decision
Reasons for declining prosecution
Backlog status
Families like Aidan Starkey's deserve to know why charges weren't filed.
6. Victim Advocacy
Create a dedicated victim services unit within the Vehicular Crimes Bureau to keep families informed and advocate for their interests throughout the process.
Aidan's Legacy: Exposing Corruption and Demanding Justice
Aidan River Starkey's death should not be in vain. His case—and the cases of Audri Dillard, Jesel Torres, Karen Malisa, David Kero, and countless others—must serve as a catalyst for reform.
But Aidan's case also exposes something far more sinister than simple prosecutorial incompetence: It reveals active corruption within the Maricopa County Attorney's Office.
This is not about backlogs. This is not about staffing shortages. This is about:
A prosecutor who was ready to file charges being removed from his position
That removal was happening the day after he promised the victim's mother justice
That removal is happening on the day the statute of limitations expired on DUI charges
A killer walking free because someone in power protected him
A family with resources uses insurance and legal maneuvering to cover for their son while also saying the vehicle was not theirs. Someone explain that!
A victim's mother being completely lied to and excluded from any explanation. Then to be unseen and disrespected by her estranged and incredibly abusive husband’s attorney. Truly unfathomable
The Questions That Demand Answers
The following questions must be answered under oath:
About Tom G.'s Transfer:
Who ordered Tom G. to be transferred out of the Vehicular Crimes Bureau?
When exactly was that decision made?
Was the decision made before or after he told Ashton he would file charges?
Why was the transfer executed the day after he made that promise?
Who was consulted on this decision?
Where is Tom G. now and what is he willing to say about this case?
About the Decision Not to Prosecute:
7. Who made the final decision not to file the charges Tom G. had prepared?
8. What were Wheeler's blood alcohol and drug test results?
9. Did Wheeler's family or their attorneys contact anyone at MCAO?
10. Were there any meetings between MCAO leadership and attorneys representing Wheeler or his family?
11. Was there any political pressure applied to not prosecute this case?
12. How many other cases has Tom G. been removed from under similar circumstances?
This Is Not a Functioning Justice System
Every person killed by an impaired driver deserves justice—not just those whose killers don't have parents with insurance policies and lawyers. Every family deserves answers, accountability, and the knowledge that their loved one's death mattered enough for the system to act—regardless of whether the killer's family tries to cover for him.
Every prosecutor who tries to do the right thing deserves to be protected from retaliation—not transferred out when they threaten powerful interests.
The Maricopa County Attorney's Office hasn't just failed. It has been corrupted. Someone in that office made a decision to protect Travis Wheeler by removing the prosecutor who was going to charge him.
What This Means
Right now, in America's sixth-largest county, you can:
Kill an innocent person while driving under the influence as a repeat offender
Get arrested on homicide charges
Have your parents' insurance company hire lawyers
Have someone in power transfer the prosecutor who wants to charge you
Never face DUI or manslaughter charges (despite a prosecutor being ready to file them)
Have your family settle the civil case quietly with insurance money
Have the victim's mother excluded from all legal proceedings
Continue your life with zero criminal consequences
Never even have your name appear in legal documents (unlike your victim, whose name gets misspelled)
That's not a justice system.
That's organized corruption protecting the guilty and silencing victims' families.
The Investigation That Must Happen
This case demands:
FBI investigation into public corruption at MCAO
Arizona Attorney General investigation into obstruction of justice
State Bar investigation into every attorney involved in burying this case
Legislative hearings into MCAO's handling of vehicular homicide cases
Criminal investigation into who ordered Tom G.'s transfer and why
Federal civil rights investigation into the systemic denial of justice to victims' families
Someone committed a crime here. Someone obstructed justice. Someone used their position of power to protect a killer. That person needs to be identified, charged, and prosecuted.
And Travis Wheeler—who has evaded justice for nearly three years—needs to finally face the DUI and manslaughter charges that Tom G. was ready to file before he was removed.
For Ashton—Aidan's Mother—and Others Like Her
Ashton, if you're reading this: Your son mattered. Aidan River Starkey's life had value that cannot be measured. The fact that you were excluded from the civil lawsuit, that charges were never filed, that injustice quietly continues without your voice—none of this reflects on Aidan's worth or the gigantic life he lived and loved. It reflects on a broken, corrupt system that protected your son's killer instead of seeking justice for your son.
You were his mother. You gave him life. You raised him. You loved him. And you were shut out of every legal proceeding seeking accountability for his death. That is an injustice layered on top of the original injustice of his killing.
For Other Mothers and Families Excluded From Justice:
If your loved one was killed and criminal charges were never filed, you are not alone. This happens more often than people realize, especially when:
The killer has a family with resources
Civil cases are filed by other family members without including you
Settlements include confidentiality agreements
Prosecutors decline to file criminal charges
There is a history of corruption within the department
Avenues Still Available to You:
1. You Can Still Demand Criminal Prosecution
The criminal statute of limitations for manslaughter in Arizona is 7 years. February 1, 2023 + 7 years = February 1, 2030. There is still time for criminal charges to be filed.
The DUI statute has expired (it was only 1 year, and Tom G. was removed the day after it expired). But manslaughter charges can still be filed.
Contact:
Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell directly: Demand she personally review this case
Demand to know who transferred Tom G. and why: This is critical
Request Tom G. be allowed to file the charges he prepared: If he's still with MCAO
Arizona Attorney General's Office: Request they investigate the transfer and file charges independently
FBI - Public Corruption Unit: The transfer of a prosecutor to prevent him from filing charges is potentially obstruction of justice
Specific Actions Regarding Tom G.:
File a public records request for all documents related to Tom G.'s transfer
Request all emails and communications about this case from January-February 2024
Demand to know who made the decision to transfer him
Request the case files Tom G. had prepared for prosecution
Ask if Tom G. is willing to speak publicly about what happened
2. File Formal Complaints
State Bar of Arizona: Complaint against prosecutors who failed to act
Arizona Crime Victim Rights: You have standing as a victim's family member under Arizona's Victims' Bill of Rights
3. Request All Records
File Arizona Public Records Requests for:
Complete police investigation file (you have a right to this)
Wheeler's blood/drug test results
Any prosecutorial review memos
All communications between Phoenix PD and MCAO about this case
Records of any contact between Wheeler's family/attorneys and MCAO
4. Challenge the Settlement (If Possible)
Consult with an attorney about:
Whether you have standing to challenge the fact that Aidan's name was misrepresented
Whether the settlement was procured through fraud (if Wheeler's parents misrepresented facts)
Your independent right to file your own wrongful death claim as Aidan's mother
5. Contact Victim Advocacy Organizations
Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Arizona: (602) 277-6233
National Organization for Victim Assistance: (800) TRY-NOVA
Arizona Voice for Crime Victims: (602) 712-2438
National Crime Victim Law Institute: They specialize in victims' rights when the system fails
6. Media and Public Pressure
Your story needs to be told. Contact:
Local news outlets (ABC15, 12 News, Arizona Republic, Phoenix New Times)
National victims' rights advocates
Social media campaigns demanding justice for Aidan
True crime podcasts that cover cases of injustice
7. Legislative Advocacy - Aidan's Law
Work with state legislators to create:
Aidan's Law: Requiring prosecutors to explain in writing why they decline to file charges in fatal crashes and keep killers in custody until trial.
Mandatory inclusion of all immediate family members in victim notifications
Prohibition on settling civil cases involving vehicular homicide without criminal charges being resolved first
Victims' rights to independent counsel when prosecutors decline charges
8. Federal Civil Rights Claims
Consult with federal civil rights attorneys about:
Whether MCAO's failure to prosecute violates your constitutional rights as a victim
Whether the settlement between your son's father and Wheeler's family violated your rights
Potential claims under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 for deprivation of rights
Questions to Demand Answers To:
1. Who ordered Tom G.'s transfer out of Vehicular Crimes on February 2, 2024?
2. Why was he transferred the day after promising to file charges?
3. Where is Tom G. now and what happened to the charges he prepared?
4. Who made the final decision not to file the charges Tom G. was ready to file?
5. Why was Wheeler arrested on homicide charges but never prosecuted?
6. When did MCAO decide not to file charges and who made that decision?
7. Did Wheeler's family or their attorneys contact MCAO before the decision not to prosecute?
8. Why was Ashton told the same exact lies by both Johnny Prescott’s attorney and Tom G ?
9. Why hasn't any criminal case been filed not even DUI?
10. Will MCAO commit to filing the manslaughter charges that Tom G. was prepared to file?
Your Rights Under Arizona's Victims' Bill of Rights
Under the Arizona Constitution, Article 2, Section 2.1, you have rights as a victim's family member, including:
The right to be treated with fairness, respect, and dignity
The right to be informed of all proceedings
The right to be present at all proceedings
The right to be heard at sentencing and other proceedings
The right to restitution
These rights were violated when you were excluded and never notified of prosecutorial decisions.
Don't Let Them Silence You, Ashton!!
You have every right to:
Tell your amazing son's story
Demand criminal prosecution
Expose the failures of the system
Advocate for change
Seek your own legal remedies
Your Voice Matters
Ashton, your advocacy can create the change that prevents another mother from enduring what you've endured. Aidan's death should mean something. His story—told with his name spelled correctly, told by the mother who loved him so dearly—should force accountability.
Don't let them forget your son. Nearly every account of Aidan’s life we uncovered involved you in some way. You were obviously very close to hearing frequently that “Aidan was such a momma’s boy” or you saying that “he was who you wanted to be when you grow up”. Such incredible love you shared. Don't let them reduce him to "Adam" and a small settlement. Don't let Wheeler walk free while you suffer in silence! Bless you and your family, and more importantly, bless your fight for justice.
You are Aidan River Starkey's mother. You have a voice. Use it.
This article is dedicated to Aidan River Starkey (October 3, 2003 - February 1, 2023) and to his mother Ashton, who continues to fight for justice despite being excluded from the system meant to protect her. May Aidan's memory demand the accountability the system failed to deliver.
Aidan's name was AIDAN RIVER STARKEY. Not Adam. Never forget his name…
*The information uncovered regarding the crimes committed against Ashton Prescott by Johnny Prescott in 2024 and 2025, as well as, the name of Johnny Prescott’s attorney, has been removed at Ashton’s request for fear of repercussions
PLEASE VISIT: WWW.JUSTICEFORAIDAN.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION
Sources & Data Verification
Maricopa County Attorney's Office public statements and data dashboards
Arizona Department of Public Safety DUI statistics
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data
News reports from ABC15, 12 News, Arizona Family, and other local outlets
Court records and booking information
Interviews with victims' families and attorneys
San Diego Police Dept
State Bar of Arizona investigation records
If you have information about unprosecuted DUI cases in Maricopa County, please contact victim advocacy organizations and consider filing complaints with the State Bar of Arizona.
EMCI: Starkey Investigation
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