Muskogee Couple Heartbroken After Man Sentenced To 4 Years In Prison

A Muskogee couple said they are heartbroken to find out that the man who killed their daughter in a car accident is only going to prison for four years. The crash also left them with devastating injuries.

The case was tried federally because the father and daughter are Native American. Mark and Kimberly Maples said they can't begin to heal because they don't feel like justice has been served.

Mark and Kimberly Maples said the last memory they have of their daughter Kirstey is hearing her laugh. "God gave me that memory of her just laughing, and us having our last good time, but I didn't get to say goodbye to my baby," Kimberly said.

Mark, Kimberly and Kirstey were driving on Highway 62 in October 2019 when they were hit by an 18-wheeler driven by Robert Roberts. Kirstey was 29 when she was killed. Mark and Kimberly spent months recovering from their injures.

Because Mark and Kirstey are tribal citizens, Roberts was charged in federal court with second-degree manslaughter and DUI. They say Roberts had meth and pot in his system.

Roberts got a four-year sentence on the federal case. He is also charged in state court for causing Kimberly's injuries.

"It just boils down to he's not getting a justifiable sentencing for what he has caused and what he did to our family," Mark said. Mark and Kimberly said there needs to be harsher sentences in federal court.

"If our story can maybe help lawmakers get in a faster gear because they are working on it, to take care of those who need it now before their cases expire," Kimberly said.

They said Roberts tore their world apart and that four years is not the justice their daughter deserves.

"The good Lord kept us here for a reason, I just hope he puts up a big banner and tells us what it is so we don't miss it," Mark said.

Roberts is set to go on trial in Muskogee County in May. In that trial, he faces up to 20 years in prison.