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SALT LAKE CITY — A former Layton police officer was sentenced Tuesday to a term of one and 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to killing a woman in his car while driving under the influence of alcohol.
Emily Worley, 23, who was in the back seat of the car, was killed in a crash in the early morning of Sept. 14, 2021, while Samuel Andrew Rockwell, 28, was driving on Bangerter Highway. Worley was the mother of two young children.
Third District Judge Richard McKelvie said Rockwell knew better because of his military and law enforcement history.
"It's a double-edged sword. You know better, you've always known better. And the conduct here is not only reckless, it's unconscionably reckless," the judge said.
McKelvie said prison will not bring Worley back, but it can accomplish something by giving Worley's family a sense of justice.
Rockwell, of Herriman, pleaded guilty to automobile homicide while driving under the influence, a second-degree felony, on May 22 as part of a plea deal. As soon as the judge announced his sentence, he placed his hands behind his back ready for them to be handcuffed — without any request from the officer in the courtroom.
In exchange for Rockwell's plea, charges of obstructing justice, a second-degree felony; reckless driving, a class B misdemeanor; operating a vehicle without insurance and with an open container of alcohol, class C misdemeanors; and driving too fast, an infraction, were all dismissed.
Rockwell was driving about 116 mph when his car veered into other lanes, then hit and flipped over a concrete barrier before hitting a signpost, traffic light pole, fence and concrete platform, according to charging documents.
Defense attorney Greg Skordas argued that Rockwell should spend a year in jail and then be released on probation, but the victim's family asked for the maximum sentence possible, noting that the former police officer has not yet been to jail even though he caused the death of their daughter.
Dionne DeMille said her daughter Emily struggled with alcoholism but had just regained custody of her children. She had found an apartment for her small family the day before she died.
"Our lives were destroyed and our hearts forever broken," her mother said.
She said the impact was "like a tsunami" for the family, and now she is responsible for her two grandchildren who are dealing with a significant loss.
It pains me deeply that I allowed myself not to control my actions and myself, which led to the death of my friend and your loved one. And no matter what I do and say I can't go back and change that night.
– Samuel Andrew Rockwell
Worley's father, Richard Krulisky, said as a veteran Rockwell had incredible resources that he could have used to deal with his hard times, rather than resorting to alcohol. He said his daughter was excited about her relationship with Rockwell, and as a dad he had high expectations until he heard about motorcycle rides with high speed limits, and later the reckless driving that killed his daughter.
"He was held to a higher standard, and he's ignored that," he said.
Rockwell apologized for his actions, and for the pain he has caused Worley's family. He said he was looking for happiness in a bottle of alcohol, and he didn't find it. He says he thinks about that night every day.
"I understand now that drinking wasn't the way to handle my emotions. I'm sorry that it took this situation to realize alcohol wasn't the answer," he said.
Rockwell said he met Worley in the month before the crash and they connected well and he grew fond of her.
"It pains me deeply that I allowed myself not to control my actions and myself, which led to the death of my friend and your loved one," he told the family. "And no matter what I do and say, I can't go back and change that night."
Multiple family members criticized Rockwell for not taking responsibility; both Rockwell and a man in the passenger seat pointed to each other when asked who the driver was, charging documents say. The other man, who owned the car, was initially arrested.
Skordas said Rockwell was at a low point in his life, and although he didn't admit he was the one driving directly after the crash, he eventually stood up and since then has taken responsibility and has learned from his actions. He said Rockwell is now married and owns a home.
"He's got a great future, no matter what you do, he's going to make us all proud someday … and he'll do what he can to make it right with the victims," Skordas said.
He said Rockwell's actions were inexcusable, but encouraged the judge to "take a chance" and not sentence him to prison.
"I think he'll make you proud. I have no doubt about that," Skordas said.
