One of the drivers involved in a fatal car crash that left twin sisters orphaned has been convicted, California officials told news outlets.
In 2022, "high school sweethearts" 44-year-old Gregory Ammen and 42-year-old Grace Spiridon were driving in Redwood City with their 7-year-old daughters, Madison and Olivia, McClatchy News reported.
The four were returning from a family dinner with Spiridon's mom when their car made a left turn, McClatchy News reported, citing a lawsuit.
A 17-year-old driver was street racing Kyle Harrison, according to a November 2022 Facebook post by the Redwood City Police Department.
The teen driver challenged Harrison to race, then hit the family, causing their car to launch over 100 feet, KRON reported in July 2023, citing the lawsuit.
Ammen and Spiridon had head injuries, and Spiridon suffered a severed spinal cord, McClatchy News reported. They died at the scene.
Madison and Olivia were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, police said.
"Grace and Greg were outstanding people and lights of love, support and inspiration to countless friends, family, co-workers and their community. Nothing mattered more to them than Madison and Olivia," a GoFundMe page said.
In November 2022, the 17-year-old driver and Harrison were arrested and charged with two counts each of second-degree murder, police said. Harrison's car was found at his home.
On Oct. 7, Harrison, 25, pleaded no contest to vehicular manslaughter and engaging in a speed contest resulting in death, according to KRON.
Harrison's plea deal results in the murder charges being dropped, and he could face up to nine years and four months in prison, the Palo Alto Daily Post reported.
"He's not the killer, but it couldn't have happened without him," District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe said, according to the Palo Alto Daily Post. "It takes two to have a speed contest. So he's properly guilty of these charges."
The other driver's trial started Oct. 10, according to KRON.
Redwood City is about a 30-mile drive southeast of San Francisco.