Longtime Mississippi Coast security guard Joseph Leo Nangle is headed to prison for 45 years, followed by five years of probation for driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs and causing a fiery five-car crash that killed two sisters from New Orleans.
Nangle, 45, of Ocean Springs, had previously pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated DUI causing death in the July 9, 2022, crash in Ocean Springs that killed sisters Mary “Julie” Kelley, 52, and Elizabeth “Lisa” Kelley Conners, 54.
Nangle said he had been drinking alcohol at the Golden Nugget casino in Biloxi and had taken a pill he believed to be Adderall, the drug for attention deficit disorder that he had gotten from a friend. In a toxicology screen, according to the records, Nangle had also snorted some methamphetamine.
Before sentencing by Circuit Judge Kathy King Jackson on Tuesday, family members of the deceased sisters told the judge about how the family has suffered immeasurable pain as a result of Nangle’s actions.
“We are here today because of the reckless, selfish choice made by someone who decided to drive a vehicle under the influence of drugs and alcohol,” sister-in-law Leslie Kelley said. “That choice has forever altered our family and taken from us two beautiful souls, my sisters-in-law,”
The Kelley sisters lived in New Orleans but often drove to Ocean Springs to visit their family for fun weekends with family. That is exactly what they were planning to do on July 9, 2022, before their lives ended after the impaired driver at speeds of 60 mph crashed into the back of the car of the sisters and slammed into four others.
Others spoke on behalf of the Kelley sisters about how supportive and loved they were in New Orleans, where they had served as queen of Mardi Gras Krewe of Dreaux.
Nangle cried as he tried to make amends for his addiction to drugs and alcohol and how he chose to drive impaired and caused the deaths.
“I don’t have the words to describe or explain how truly devastated and remorseful I am for being responsible for this unimaginable accidental tragedy that resulted in the deaths of Mary and Elizabeth … and injured others,” he said. “I never intended for this accident to happen.
“I am not an evil man or a violent man,” Nangle said. “Nor have I ever been. I stand here as a human being, a man taking full responsibility for this accident.
Nangle said he got sober after the fatal crash and has maintained his sobriety for over 800 days.
“I am sorry I ruined your life,” Nangle told the Kelley family and other friends. “I’m so sorry I ruined your life. I’m so sorry I ruined your family and my family.”
When encouraging the judge to sentence Nangle to the maximum sentence allowed, District Attorney Angel Myers McIlrath pointed out Nangle’s two prior DUI convictions and how he failed to get sober until after the crash that killed people.
She spoke about the sister’s mother and other family and the overwhelming grief they have suffered as a result of the crash.
“They lost two sisters in one day,” McIlrath said. “I can’t imagine. Actually, the only thing worse than losing a child could be losing two.
At the time of his plea earlier this year, Nangle said he did not recall the crash.
“My friend was playing blackjack,” he said. “The next thing I remember, I was in ICU.”
The crash happened on U.S. 90 at Ocean Springs Road.
Before his arrest in the fatal crash, Nangle had worked in security for years at Mississippi Coast casinos, a private security company, and a Mississippi industrial plant.
Nangle had been indicted on two counts each of manslaughter, second-degree murder and aggravated DUI in the killings. Jackson County prosecutors agreed to dismiss the remaining charges in exchange for his guilty pleas. Assistant District Attorney Nicholas Mobley prosecuted the case.
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