Troy Reynolds sentenced to prison following years-long contentious hit-and-run case

On Wednesday morning (5/6), Troy Reynolds returned to court to be sentenced for his role in a fatal hit-and-run collision.

Reynolds was convicted of striking sixteen-year-old Joshua Barreras with a vehicle and fleeing the scene on the evening of January 26, 2024. Barreras died from his injuries, and Reynolds was arrested following a two-week investigation by Morongo Basin Sheriff’s Deputies. After two years of court proceedings, delays, and a multi-week trial, on March 26 a jury found Reynolds guilty of Felony Hit-and-Run Resulting in Permanent Injury or Death. The jury also found two aggravating factors to be true: that Reynolds occupied a position of leadership or induced others to participate in the crime, and that the manner in which the crime was carried out indicated sophistication or professionalism.

At Wednesday’s sentencing, District Attorney Jason Gueltzow represented the prosecution, and Attorney James Rogan represented Reynolds, who was in custody. Judge Sarah Oliver began the hearing by stressing the requirement of civility throughout the proceedings. The gallery was packed with supporters of both Reynolds and the victim. Judge Oliver noted that she had read nearly 50 letters in support of Mr. Reynolds before opening the floor to the family members and supporters of the victim, five of whom had prepared statements. 

Joshua Barreras remembered as a “bright kid”

Joshua Barreras’ grandmother, Sherry Moreno, began by illustrating Joshua as more than the tragic headline he had been reduced to over the past two years. She described him as “a bright kid” who enjoyed performing in talent shows and plays, making his family laugh, and had dreams of enlisting in the military.

She described the grief suffered by her family, particularly over the thirteen days between the collision and the identification of Reynolds as a suspect. Moreno addressed the court and Reynolds, saying “I believe it was an accident. You left the scene and then came back to watch in silence. And then it became something else. Something ugly and cruel and heartless.”

Barreras’ friend Levi also spoke and further addressed the online contention that has plagued the case.

“We’ve had friends and family pass in some pretty tragic ways before. Death isn’t something new to us. But this is by far the worst, and that is because of the constant victim-blaming, verbal harassment, physical threats, and cyberbullying we have received from the Reynolds and their associates since the beginning of this case. They have tried turning a child’s misfortunes into ammunition to use against this family,” Levi said.

Troy Reynolds’ statement

Following the family’s statements, Troy Reynolds gave a statement to the court, reading “I cannot forgive myself for the way that I acted, about being aware of what I was involved in. I wish I’d truly made better decisions that night, and I did not. I know some of the decisions I made hurt a lot of people, a lot of family members, and I’m truly sorry for that.

“I’m taking full responsibility for what I did, so I can’t express enough the heartache that I’ve caused you and the grandmother, and I know that the person can never be replaced…I’m truly sorry.”

Judge: “Mr. Reynolds, what you did was egregious.”

Judge Oliver then turned to the attorneys; Gueltzow stressed that Reynolds’ thirteen days of concealing the crime were “inexcusable,” and that, as evidenced by trial testimony, the probation report, and post-conviction jail calls, he continued to blame others and showed no remorse. In contrast, Rogan highlighted Reynolds’ several decades as an upstanding member of the community, as referenced in the submitted character assessments, and argued that his return and community service would be a more appropriate form of rehabilitation. 

After attorneys for both sides gave a final statement, Judge Oliver proceeded with a scathing rebuke of Reynolds’ conduct and lack of remorse, as well as the online discourse that further exacerbated the case.

“The genesis of this case was an accident…a terrible, tragic accident, and that should have been how it was. It was because of Mr. Reynolds that it became a crime…

…You have not been accountable or taken responsibility in any way, shape, or form, until this last moment, when I’m about to sentence you, you say you’re sorry. But I hear about what has been victim-shaming, which is appalling behavior, from members of the community that support you. I read their letters in support of you, and you have a lot of people who love you and care about you. You were a good member of this community for 30 years, crime-free, and a contributing member of the community. But a lifetime of good deeds was erased that night, and you did that…It’s your decision to lie, to conceal, and to expose the people that love you to potential criminal exposure…

…The divide in the community is not helped by either side spreading rumors. This was an accident, but Mr. Reynolds, what you did was egregious. I’m very sorry that Joshua’s family has had to suffer through this process when all they wanted was basic justice. To be shamed for pursuing justice on behalf of their lost loved one? It’s abhorrent to hear that members of our community engaged in such conduct, but I understand if they were being misled about what was happening and why it happened, if you were misleading them…

…You continue to connive and shrewdly plan a way to evade culpability. You deflected blame onto others. The victim, in this case. The behavior is terrible. I don’t know if the deflection is to avoid the shame and guilt that you should be feeling, but it shows cowardice.”

Reynolds sentenced to maximum time for charge

Judge Oliver sentenced Troy Reynolds to the aggravated term of four years in state prison, followed by three to four years’ parole, and a $10,000 restitution fine. The sentence is the maximum penalty allowed in California for felony hit-and-run cases.

Following the hearing, James Phipps, a previous employee of Reynolds, asked to comment on the story. Phipps was mentioned throughout the trial for his role in coordinating the repairs of Reynolds’ tow truck; Reynolds maintained that he had not told Phipps any details about the hit-and-run.

Phipps commented that “the court system has made this case biased and political. The judge is biased, especially the (District Attorney) D.A., for playing his game and keeping me out of the courtroom as a critical witness. That’s the feeling about it.”

Joshua Barreras’ grandmother Sherry Moreno and her brother Mark Buskirk also made statements about how they felt following the long-awaited closure of the case.

Sherry said she was feeling “overwhelmed… I feel relieved at the same time. It’s been hard, but we got through it, and we stand strong today.”

Standing next to his sister, Mark Buskirk remarked that “for actions, positive or negative, there are consequences.

“And this is consequences.”