HARTFORD, Conn. — Luke Roux was 17 years old when he was hit and killed by Jacob Coffey last June.
On Wednesday, the courtroom in Hartford was packed with coaches, parents, and more describing a near-perfect teen that was lost. All those people lived near the Five Corners section of Farmington and within a five-mile radius of that intersection where Luke Roux’s life was cut short on June 25, 2022.
Luke graduated from Farmington High School last year. He left what his coach said was his best baseball game of the season against New Britain and was hit and killed by Jacob Coffey, 21.
Prosecutors say the traffic light had been red for 18 seconds when Coffey hit and killed Luke after that game, leaving an entire community impacted by the 21-year-old’s decision to go to a concert, drink heavily and get behind the wheel.
Luke's brothers were too overcome to join the community inside the courtroom.
Person after person described the 17-year-old basketball star and hockey player as a quiet leader having grown up in a neighborhood among 20 kids who became like extended family.
Parents of the grief-stricken friends that Luke left behind, gave emotional testimony of their children so impacted by Luke's loss, that several of them dropped out of college. Neighbors describe seeing a threesome of brothers growing up now just two, who rarely leave home and rarely look happy.
Roux's mother described her loss as a hole in her soul.
Carri Roux said in court, “The result of Jacob Coffey’s decision that night has left us with a loss that is simply unimaginable. The pain and sorrow that I experienced every second every minute of every day is never-ending.”
Later on Wednesday Cami and Luke's father Steve Roux released a message saying:
“People that don’t know Luke, and haven’t felt the tremendous impact of his loss, may view this as another story that adds to the rising statistics of intoxicated driving in our state. We are focused on what we can do to facilitate awareness and change through the investment of our time and the Fund we established in Luke's name. We pray that today’s sentence will deter the defendant and remind others that they will be held accountable for these actions. Drinking and driving creates risk that can result in serious results including loss of life. It's not a mistake, it's not an accident, it's a choice.”
Coffey addressed the court, saying, “I know it doesn't change anything. But from the bottom of my heart, I’m truly so, so sorry.”
The judge sentenced Coffey to 15 years in prison. He can be released after five served, followed by five more years of probation.
He will be 27 years old when he comes out of prison.
After the sentencing, Luke's parents said they hoped this sentence would deter people from drinking and driving, refusing to call it an accident but rather a reckless choice with soul-shattering consequences.
Doug Stewart is the Senior Digital Content Producer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dstewart@fox61.com.
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