Current:Home > MyRetired police chief killed in hit-and-run died in 'cold and callous' way: Family -Blueprint Wealth Network
Retired police chief killed in hit-and-run died in 'cold and callous' way: Family
View
Date:2025-04-17 13:49:26
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! (734)
Related
- Pressure on a veteran and senator shows what’s next for those who oppose Trump
- California Passed a Landmark Law About Plastic Pollution. Why Are Some Environmentalists Still Concerned?
- Two US Electrical Grid Operators Claim That New Rules For Coal Ash Could Make Electricity Supplies Less Reliable
- Financier buys Jeffrey Epstein's private islands, with plans to create a resort
- 'Malcolm in the Middle’ to return with new episodes featuring Frankie Muniz
- Shaun White Deserves a Gold Medal for Helping Girlfriend Nina Dobrev Prepare for New Role
- 2 states launch an investigation of the NFL over gender discrimination and harassment
- Today’s Al Roker Is a Grandpa, Daughter Courtney Welcomes First Baby With Wesley Laga
- What to watch: O Jolie night
- Adele Is Ready to Set Fire to the Trend of Concertgoers Throwing Objects Onstage
Ranking
- Former Syrian official arrested in California who oversaw prison charged with torture
- Celebrating Victories in Europe and South America, the Rights of Nature Movement Plots Strategy in a Time of ‘Crises’
- FERC Says it Will Consider Greenhouse Gas Emissions and ‘Environmental Justice’ Impacts in Approving New Natural Gas Pipelines
- Has JPMorgan Chase grown too large? A former White House economic adviser weighs in
- Meta releases AI model to enhance Metaverse experience
- Tracking the impact of U.S.-China tensions on global financial institutions
- Eastwind Books, an anchor for the SF Bay Area's Asian community, shuts its doors
- New Study Identifies Rapidly Emerging Threats to Oceans
Recommendation
A South Texas lawmaker’s 15
Your Mission: Enjoy These 61 Facts About Tom Cruise
These Clergy Are Bridging the Gap Between Religion and Climate
Coach 4th of July Deals: These Handbags Are Red, White and Reduced 60% Off
Rylee Arnold Shares a Long
What has been driving inflation? Economists' thinking may have changed
Space Tourism Poses a Significant ‘Risk to the Climate’
Misery Wrought by Hurricane Ian Focuses Attention on Climate Records of Florida Candidates for Governor