MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The woman charged in a June 2021 crash that killed former Hillcrest High School and UNC Charlotte basketball standout Galen Young has been granted diversion, according to court records.
Miracle Rutherford was indicted in April 2022 on vehicular homicide charges. According to court records, Rutherford pleaded guilty this week and was granted diversion, which is set to last until March 2, 2026.
According to the Shelby County District Attorney General's Office, under her diversion, Rutherford will be required to complete 200 hours of community service, obtain a driver’s license and insurance, and be employed or in school, and face random drug screenings.
The crash happened around 2:45 a.m. on June 5, 2021, as prosecutors said Rutherford was speeding southbound on Horn Lake Road before going airborne and crashing into the corner of a house. According to an affidavit, investigators estimated Rutherford was driving more than 60 mph in a 45 mph zone.
Police responded to the crash, but there were no injuries reported originally at the scene. The D.A.’s office at the time said a woman in the house told investigators she lived there with her adult son, but he wasn't home.
Family members found Young under the debris hours later. He died at the scene.
While at UNC Charlotte, Young was named MVP in the 1999 C-USA Tournament. He also played professionally for 13 years in the U.S. and abroad.
The Shelby County D.A.'s office released the following statement about the diversion: "Ms. Rutherford was charged with Reckless Vehicular Homicide, in September 2021, in the incident involving Mr. Galen Young. This is a C Felony in Tennessee that carries three to six years at 30% for a first-time offender. Ms. Rutherford was classified as such because she had no prior convictions. Per Tennessee law, her offense of reckless vehicular homicide is a probation/diversion-eligible offense. Tennessee law also states that the death of another person that results from the defendant’s conduct does not, alone, make the offense sufficiently violent to justify a denial of probation.
Because of this, our office did not oppose Ms. Rutherford’s request for diversion. We met with the family of Mr. Young to explain the decision."
