Three years ago, a terrible DWI crash on South Belt Highway claimed the lives of Savannah Domann, 26, and her unborn child.
Steven Ayala, the driver, was impaired behind the wheel.
Ayala pleaded guilty in December 2022 and was sentenced to 15 years in jail, the maximum allowed for the charge.
However, after serving only three years, Ayala is now eligible for parole, with a hearing scheduled for September 4th at 9 a.m. in Jefferson City.
Savannah’s family considers the possibility of his early release a betrayal.
Her sister, Morgan Domann, voiced dissatisfaction with Missouri’s parole system, which allowed Ayala to be released after completing only 25% of his sentence.
“Fifteen years didn’t feel like long enough, and the fact that he’s eligible for parole after only three years feels like a slap in the face,” Morgan said. “The judge did his job to put him away for the 15 years, which was the maximum he could have, and then our system just lets him out.”
Prior to Ayala’s sentencing, the Domann family hoped for the strongest penalty possible.
“We’d want 15. That’s the least he could do. He took so much,” Morgan said in 2022. “He’ll have to do some time, but ultimately, sister is gone, my niece is gone, and there’s nothing we can do.”
Life without Savannah has created a sad hole.
Morgan described how her family continues to grieve the milestones Savannah will never reach.
“We miss out on everything. We miss out on Savannah being a mom,” she said. “I’ve had another child since, and she’s named after my sister. She misses out on getting to meet her aunt. There’s a lot of holes,” Morgan said.
While Morgan recognizes that no term will bring her sister back, she hopes Ayala remains incarcerated to avoid further violence.
Ayala’s parole hearing will take place behind closed doors, with only the closest family members allowed inside. The Domann family is now waiting, hoping that the system will bring the justice Savannah deserves.
