Current:Home > ScamsWife, daughter of retired police chief killed in cycling hit-and-run speak out -WealthPro Academy
Wife, daughter of retired police chief killed in cycling hit-and-run speak out
View
Date:2025-04-24 14:54:28
For grieving widow Crystal Probst, the nightmare began two months ago with an alert sent from her husband’s Apple Watch.
Andy Probst, 64, was out for his morning bike ride on Aug. 14, when the device on his wrist detected a hard fall just blocks from his Las Vegas home. The device called 911 and alerted Crystal, his emergency contact, via text message.
Taylor Probst, Andy’s daughter, told ABC News, “Chopper was out. You could hear sirens in all different directions. And I vividly remember [my mom] turning to me saying, ‘That's for dad. That's for dad.'"
But Crystal and Taylor say they never could have imagined what happened to the beloved father and husband.
Probst, a retired police chief for Bell, California, was riding in the designated bike lane when a vehicle slammed into him, according to authorities. Two teenagers face murder charges in the alleged intentional hit-and-run.
“I saw everything, from where the phone was, where half of his helmet was and then where the bike was,” Taylor said.
Initially declared an accident, weeks went by before the shocking video of the alleged hit-and-run surfaced.
MORE: Retired police chief killed in hit-and-run died in 'cold and callous' way: Family
Authorities allege it shows then-17-year-old Jesus Ayala behind the wheel and 16-year-old Jzamir Keys recording the video from the passenger seat as they’re seen side-swiping a car. Police say the teens start laughing while one of them says, “Yeah, yeah, yeah, hit his a--” as the car pulls up behind Probst just before the fatal collision.
Authorities say the video was brought to the attention of law enforcement by a high school student who saw it and alerted their school resource officer.
“I can't think of too many cases I've ever had that -- where you have the audio, the video of what they're thinking and doing before the murder, as they commit the murder and after the murder. And there's just not many cases where you get all three of those,” Lt. Jason Johansson of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department told ABC News.
Taylor says the now-viral video has haunted her since she saw it.
“We're happy that video exists because that's how it got switched over from an accident to a homicide. But we didn't want the entire world seeing it,” Taylor said.
Ayala, now 18, and Keys are accused of committing a series of crimes the morning of Aug. 14 -- three car thefts and three hit-and-runs, including the one that killed Probst, authorities said.
Both have been charged as adults with murder with use of a deadly weapon, battery with use of a deadly weapon and attempted murder with use of a deadly weapon. Ayala, who is accused of driving a stolen Hyundai Electra during Probst's alleged hit-and-run, is also charged with leaving the scene of a crash and possession of a stolen vehicle, among other charges.
Ayala and Keys pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Johansson alleges Ayala made statements to law enforcement on body camera footage after the alleged hit-and-run, saying he believed he was going to “get a slap on the wrist” and “be out in 30 days.”
“I think we all know now that probably is not going to be the case," Johansson said.
When asked about their reaction to Ayala’s comments, Taylor and Crystal did not mince words about the alleged killer.
“He’s an entitled little f---,” Crystal said.
“My reaction was, he doesn't, he doesn't even know what's f------ coming. Yeah, he is about to get slapped in the face real hard with reality,” Taylor said.
Meanwhile, the grieving daughter is now facing a future without her father.
“I'll never get to have my dad there, have that, you know, daddy daughter dance, have him give me away or anything like that, and that hurts. That hurts that was robbed from me. And that was robbed from my mom and my brother,” Taylor said through tears.
Crystal still sometimes wears her husband’s shattered watch that first alerted her to the unimaginable tragedy.
"Everybody says, you got to go get it fixed, but I don't know if I want to," Crystal said.
“It’s hard to grieve when you are so angry," she added.
veryGood! (451)
Related
- Head of the Federal Aviation Administration to resign, allowing Trump to pick his successor
- King Charles III's cancer was caught early, U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak says
- Felicity Huffman says her old life 'died' after college admissions scandal
- Christian McCaffrey Weighs in on Fiancée Olivia Culpo and Mom Lisa McCaffrey’s Super Bowl Suite Clash
- Kylie Jenner Shows Off Sweet Notes From Nieces Dream Kardashian & Chicago West
- Workers who cut crushed quartz countertops say they are falling ill from a deadly lung disease: I wouldn't wish this upon my worst enemy
- Why the latest 'Walking Dead' spinoff is an 'epic love story' (blame 'Bridgerton')
- Pilot was likely distracted before crash that killed 8 off North Carolina’s coast, investigators say
- Person accused of accosting Rep. Nancy Mace at Capitol pleads not guilty to assault charge
- Project Veritas admits there was no evidence of election fraud at Pennsylvania post office in 2020
Ranking
- Elon Musk's skyrocketing net worth: He's the first person with over $400 billion
- South Dakota man accused of running down chief deputy during 115-mph police chase is charged with murder
- Actress Poonam Pandey Fakes Her Own Death in Marketing Stunt
- How an Oklahoma earthquake showed danger remains after years of quakes becoming less frequent
- Pressure on a veteran and senator shows what’s next for those who oppose Trump
- Las Vegas mayor says the A's should 'figure out a way to stay in Oakland'
- LA.Dodgers bring back Clayton Kershaw, who will miss first half of 2024 MLB season
- The Daily Money: Easing FAFSA woes
Recommendation
EU countries double down on a halt to Syrian asylum claims but will not yet send people back
Largest-ever MLS preseason event coming to Coachella Valley in 2024
Reba McEntire is singing the anthem at the Super Bowl. Get excited with her 10 best songs
Travis Kelce Addresses Taylor Swift Engagement Speculation Ahead of 2024 Super Bowl
Charges tied to China weigh on GM in Q4, but profit and revenue top expectations
Bill Maher opens up about scrapped Kanye West interview: 'I wouldn't air that episode'
Honda recalls more than 750,000 vehicles for airbag issue: Here's what models are affected
Judge wants answers after report that key witness in Trump fraud trial may plead guilty to perjury