Suspect in deadly motorcycle crash has second court hearing

COLUMBIA, Mo (KMIZ)

A suspect in a deadly Columbia crash was back in Boone County court Wednesday.

Police say 72-year-old Susan Hanel was driving impaired on Providence Road on Nov. 30 when she turned in front of Skylar Maddox, causing him to crash into her vehicle while on his motorcycle. Maddox was thrown from his motorcycle and later pronounced dead at a hospital.

Maddox's girlfriend and family were in court Wednesday for Hanel's bond hearing. She's charged with driving while intoxicated causing a death, leaving the scene of a crash and armed criminal action. Police say Hanel told them she had been taking methadone and Valium and that a witness said Hanel was driving without headlights.

A judge denied Hanel bond in her brief appearance. She remained without a lawyer. Judge Kimberly Shaw allowed Maddox's mother, Jenny McClelland Maddox, to make a statement. 

She approached the bench and was crying as she began to talk.

"Susan (Hanel) made a selfish decision when she chose to drive that night. There is now a mom and dad without their firstborn son and three brothers without an older brother," she said.

The family declined to be interviewed for this story.

Maddox's best friend Alex Pattillo said he saw the aftermath of the crash.

"He was already taken away in the ambulance, so I just kind of saw the aftermath of things and it hit me pretty hard seeing that," Pattillo told ABC 17 News. "I was unaware of his condition at the time. So you know it was never a thought in my mind that Skylar had passed away."

Family and friends gathered Tuesday for a celebration of life and to say goodbye to Maddox. Pattillo said that he still can't process the news of his best friend.

The owner of Gilbane Motorsports, Matt Gilbane, said the news of Maddox's death was shocking when he heard it. "I was in immediate shock. It's something you never expect," Gilbane said

Hanel has another court date set for Dec. 22.