Ruckman Retrial: Seeking Justice for Fatal Crash Victims

0:00From Anchorage, this is your March 13th update. Jurors were selected this week for the retrial of 24-year-old Dustin Ruckman in Anchorage, Alaska. He faces two counts of criminally negligent homicide linked to a deadly crash that killed 16-year-old Carly McDonald in 18-year-old Kiarra. Renteria Heist back in May, 2019, prosecutors say Ruckman was behind the wheel of his pickup truck on Mount Ballyhoo in Unalaska when it veered off the road and dropped about nine. Hundred feet down a cliff. He told authorities he got thrown from the vehicle, but the two teens stayed inside and did not survive. Family members of the girls expressed relief at getting another shot at justice after last year's mistrial left them without closure. They described the ongoing pain of the loss and their hope that the full story will finally come out in court. Ruckman was indicted in June 2020 on heavier charges, like manslaughter and reckless driving. But prosecutors streamline the case to just the negligence counts for this round.

1:03The first trial ended in a mistrial declared by the judge in April 2025 after five days of deadlock deliberations. Opening statements are set for 9 a.m. Friday, with a focus on whether Ruckman's driving met Alaska's bar for criminal negligence. His defense team emits possible civil fault, but argues the evidence falls short for a criminal conviction. D&N is sponsored by our partner. Check out the episode description. Press play. Put your head down. The sound is already there. S-O-L-I-SoliPillow.com