A ‘slap in the face.’ Family of child killed in Fresno County crash says sentence too low
Karmjit Singh of Visalia was sentenced to six years in prison Tuesday for causing the 2019 car crash near Selma that killed 8-year-old Maverick Martzen and seriously injured his parents.
During the sentencing hearing in Fresno County Superior Court before Judge Jon Kapetan, Maverick’s parents Scott and Megan Martzen told Judge John Kapetan the loss of their son has been immeasurable.
The children was described by those who know him as a fun-loving kid who had a talent for baseball and football.
Maverick’s parents described how they will no longer be able to hold him, watch him play baseball, or see his dimples when he smiled.
“I am angry that (Karmjit Singh) stole so much from my husband and I,” said Megan Martzen. “It breaks my heart to her my husband cry out in pain because his body still hurts from the car accident.”
Scott Martzen said that six years in prison isn’t enough for Singh. “Karmjit Singh walked away from the wreck, Maverick did not,” Scott Martzen said. “His sentence is too low and it’s a slap in the face for grieving families. He strikes a family’s car and murders an 8-year-old boy. That adds up to life, this man deserves life in prison.”
The night of the crash
Maverick was in the back seat of the Martzen’s Kia Optima the night of the accident. It was Feb. 23 at about 10 p.m. when the Martzens were coming from home from a birthday party in Fresno.
As they entered the intersection of Bethel and Rose Avenues near Selma, Scott Martzen recalled seeing headlights in the corner of his eye. It was Singh in a black BMW he borrowed from his brother. Singh wasn’t supposed to be driving, his license had been suspended from a previous DUI.
He also had been drinking, but his blood alcohol concentration was not high enough to be prosecuted for DUI.
Within seconds, Martzen swerved left, but it was too late. Police said Singh, who was accused of traveling at a high rate of speed, blew through a stop sign smashing into the Martzen’s car.
The collision sent Singh’s BMW into a dry irrigation canal and the Kia into a tree.
When rescue crews arrived, they found Maverick in the right rear passenger seat unconscious. He was revived by firefighters and rushed to Selma Hospital where staff found a pulse. He was then flown to Valley Children’s Hospital, where he later died.
Maverick’s grandfather John Martzen, appearing in court via the Zoom app, recalled that night vividly.
“When we left Valley Children’s hospital I looked out the back window and realized Maverick was not coming home with us, we were leaving his body behind,” said John Martzen. “No more would we feel the joy of having Maverick in our lives.”
Prosecutor Ryan Wells pushed for the maximum sentenced allowed — six years in prison. Wells said not only did Singh cause the death of Maverick, but the crash also seriously injured his parents, who are still dealing with their injuries.
“He (Singh) was on probation for a previous DUI and he didn’t even have a valid driver’s license,” Wells said.
Apology from defendant
During Tuesday’s hearing Singh, 35, attempted to read a letter he had written to Maverick’s parents, but became too emotional. His lawyer Marina Pincus read it for him.
“I feel horrible for what happened to your family and to everyone involved in this tragic accident,” she said. “And when I say accident I mean I never meant for anyone to get hurt or die.”
Singh said he doesn’t have a son, so he doesn’t know what it feels like it to lose a child. But what he does feel is the pain that comes from causing a child to lose their life.
“I will have that feeling forever,” Pincus said, reading from Singh letter. “Not one day goes by that I wish I had died instead of your son. I wish I could take it all back, but I can’t. All I can do is pray for God to forgive me.”
Singh never denied causing the crash. And in May he pleaded no contest to charges of vehicular manslaughter and driving on a suspended license. Judge Kapetan said the most he could do was give him the maximum of six years for this type of crime.
“I am supposed to be here to do justice, but as the victims family has expressed, I too question whether justice is served in this case,” Kapetan said. “In my opinion, I conclude that it is not.”
This story was originally published August 11, 2020 at 4:08 PM.
