Police say a drunk driver slammed into the back of a car early Saturday morning, killing a senior at Roseville High School and injuring two of three others in the car.
On Monday the family of the teen killed, Julius Jones, Jr., 19, watched as a judge arraigned the alleged drunk driver for the crimes.
Judge Marco Santia told Kyle Kumbo, 24, he is charged with one count of operating a vehicle under the influence causing death, and two counts operating a vehicle under the influence causing serious injury. He set bond at $100,000, which his family posted. He was ordered to wear a tether.
“They get to post bond for their son and take him home,” said Julius’ mom Vicki Jones. “We get to bury ours.”
“I had a bright future,” said Julius Jones, Sr. “I know he did.”
Their son was a senior at Roseville High School. He dreamed of serving his country after graduation as a Marine.
“He had an opportunity to become what he wanted,” said Jones, Sr. “He just passed a test for the military.”
The crash happened at a red light at Grosbeak and Fourteen Mile in Fraser. Julius was in a car in the center lane, stopped at a red light. Police say Kumbo’s SUV was also in the center lane when it rear-ended the car. Julius died at the scene. One other passenger in the car is in critical conditions. The driver is in serious condition.
Kumbo allegedly blew a 0.134 on a preliminary breath test and failed field sobriety tests.
“He shouldn’t get to post bond because somebody is dead and somebody else is still fighting for their life,” said Vicki Jones.
“Please, if you drink, don’t drive. Drunk driving destroys life,” said Julius Jones, Sr.
Kumbo is expected back in court for a probable cause conference on March 30th in Roseville, and a preliminary examination is currently scheduled for April 6th.
