Man charged in DUI crash that killed Louisville teenager offered plea deal for 3rd time

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The man charged with killing a 17-year-old Louisville boy in DUI crash in 2023 was offered a plea deal for the third time Thursday, and the victim's family hopes it'll finally end with the justice they desperately seek.

The deal offered to Ernesto "Erick" Ocampo would see him spend 22 years in prison and face deportation after the sentence is served. It calls for 17 years on the vehicular homicide charge and another five on other counts, which include wanton endangerment and operating a motor vehicle under the influence.

"Mr. Ocampo is aware of the ICE holder that is on him and what the consequences will be upon resolution of any sentence that he would accept or be given in this matter," his attorney, Robin Bennet, said Thursday.

According to arrest documents, Ocampo was speeding and driving under the influence April 22, 2023, on Shepherdsville Road when he crashed into the back of a Toyota that was stopped at a red light on April 22. That caused a chain reaction crash, with the Toyota then hitting a Pontiac that crashed into the back of a Buick.

Police said Ocampo had a blood alcohol level more than four times the legal limit.

Louisville Metro Police said Ocampo didn't attempt to stop or slow down before he crashed into the Toyota. Three people were in the Toyota, including 17-year-old Mohammed Hussein, who was taken to UofL Hospital where he died from his injuries.

Hussein's family said he was a high school junior who previously attended Fern Creek High School but had recently transferred to Seneca before he was killed. It was too hard for his family to speak on camera, but Hussein's girlfriend, Kaylee Sauter, echoed what she said after the last hearing.

"Every time I walk into that courtroom, it's just everything's flooded of what I lost," Sauter said.

This is the third plea deal that's been offered in the case. The first time, Ocampo changed his attorney. The second time, that new attorney asked for an inspection of his year.

Above all, Sauter just wants closure.

"We just want it to be over," she said Thursday. "We just want him to rest. That's it."

Ocampo has been in jail on a $100,000 full cash bond since his arrest in April.

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