'Your choice cost our son his life': Man sentenced in DWI crash that killed firefighter

HARTVILLE - Justin Sanders was known for several things during his time as a Mansfield firefighter and first responder, including his disdain for alcohol.

Sanders spent 12 years tending to the noxious effects of overconsumption, calls that helped validate his own abstinence. Drunk-driving was among the 31-year-old's biggest irks.

In a matter of cruel irony, the latter ended his life.

Sanders was killed around 1 a.m. on April 1, 2023, during a ride-along with Mansfield police officer Michael Bryson, whose parked vehicle was struck by a pickup truck just south of U.S. 60.

An intoxicated Kody Skaggs, 22, reportedly crossed the center line, went off the road, and struck the police vehicle parked on the shoulder of the Business 60 road near a gas station. The impact killed Sanders at the scene and severely injured Bryson, a tragedy that shook the rural community 50 miles east of Springfield.

Ten months later, Skaggs — a one-time volunteer Mansfield firefighter who said he was friends with Sanders — faced an emotional Wright County courtroom for his sentencing on felony charges of DWI resulting in death and DWI resulting in injury.

Wright County prosecutor John Tyrrell asked that Skaggs serve 15 years behind bars, the maximum sentence in Missouri for a drunk-driving death. Raymond Gross, a 44th Judicial Circuit Judge, nearly heeded his request.

Gross sentenced Skaggs to 14 years for the charge relating to Sanders' death and 10 years for the bodily harm of Bryson. The sentences will run concurrently.

Hoping to soften his client's punishment, Skaggs' defense attorney, Joshua Brown, told the court that his client had no criminal history, was fully cooperative with investigators, and swiftly owned up to the actions that led the fatal accident.

Wearing a T-shirt and jeans in front of dozen of his own supporters, Skaggs, who had been out on bond and held a job since his arrest, apologized to the dozens of teary-eyed family members, law enforcement officers and EMTs in the courtroom.

"I can never forgive myself for what happened," said Skaggs, who said he and Sanders used to joke around in the fire house. "I ask for peace and forgiveness."

Gross was clear that Sanders needed to pay mightily for the damage he inflicted.

"We don't punish intentions," Gross said. "We punish behavior, we punish choices."

'Your choice cost our son his life'

Before Gross communicated Skaggs' punishment and the longtime Mansfield resident was turned over to the Missouri Department of Corrections, Tyrrell — a lifelong Wright County resident — presented a series of visuals to the court.

The prosecution showed police body camera footage, video surveillance from the nearby gas station, and the 911 call in which Bryson can be heard in the background screaming and moaning in pain before first responders arrived.

Skaggs, who also injured in the crash, told responding officers that that he had "three or four beers" after hanging out with some friends in Lebanon, and recently returned to Missouri after working in Tennessee. His speech appeared to be slurred, he was said to have reeked of alcohol, and it was soon determined he was well over the legal limit and he was arrested.

Family and coworkers of Sanders and Bryson gave victim impact statements. Sanders was described as a loving, thoughtful man who was proud of his work, his hometown of Mansfield, and his friends and family. Bryson, who has since returned to work after painful rehab, is still dealing with trauma and survivor's guilt.

Wearing matching red T-shirts in support of their son, a 2010 Mansfield High graduate, a grieving David and Cynthia Sanders faced Skaggs and reminded him of their devastating loss.

"Your choice (to drink and drive) cost our son his life," Cynthia said.

"It's hard to express the anger and bitterness I have from this act," David said.

Sanders' locker has been left open in its place at Mercy EMS in Mansfield in his memory.

Ryan Collingwood covers a wide range of topics for the News-Leader with an emphasis on public safety. He can be reached by phone at 417-258-8174 and email at rcollingwood@news-leader.com. You can also follow Ryan on social media at X.com/rwcollingwood.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Man sentenced in 2023 DWI crash that killed Mansfield firefighter