Hailey
On February 14, 2024, tragedy struck downtown St. Louis when a speeding Jeep ran red lights and struck Laticha “Lety” Bracero (42) and her daughter Alyssa Cordova (21) as they crossed at Olive Street and 18th Street.
The pair had been visiting from Chicago following a concert appearance nearby. The high-impact collision claimed both lives instantly.
The Defendant and Charges
The driver, Monte Henderson, entered an open plea on July 8, 2025 to two counts of first-degree involuntary manslaughter and two counts of armed criminal action.
Because he used an open plea, he acknowledged responsibility but left sentencing to the court’s discretion.
Evidence and Prosecution Case
Investigators reconstructed the crash using vehicle data, surveillance footage, and toxicology results. Key findings included:
- The Jeep was traveling at approximately 74 mph when entering the intersection.
- Henderson ran multiple red lights and did not apply brakes before impact.
- His blood alcohol concentration was more than twice the legal limit.
- Video evidence captured dangerous weaving and red-light violations just before the crash.
The prosecution argued these factors demonstrated gross negligence and recklessness amounting to criminal liability.
Sentence and Court Decision
On October 10, 2025, the judge handed Henderson a 21-year prison sentence in the Missouri Department of Corrections.
Several relatives of the victims delivered heartfelt statements, urging the court to impose maximum punishment.
Henderson expressed remorse, stating he prays for the family and acknowledges the irreversible harm he caused.
The judge noted that at high speeds, a vehicle becomes a deadly weapon, stressing that pedestrian protection must be a priority and that reckless drivers will face serious consequences.
Key Facts Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Defendant | Monte Henderson, age 23 |
| Victims | Laticha “Lety” Bracero (42) & Alyssa Angel Cordova (21) |
| Date & Location | February 14, 2024 — Olive St. & 18th St., downtown St. Louis |
| Vehicle & Speed | 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, ~74 mph entering intersection |
| Impairment | Blood alcohol more than twice legal limit; no braking applied |
| Charges | 2 counts first-degree involuntary manslaughter; 2 counts armed criminal action |
| Plea Type | Open plea (defendant accepts guilt but sentencing left to judge) |
| Sentence | 21 years imprisonment imposed October 10, 2025 |
Significance and Impact
This case underscores the lethal combination of speeding, impaired driving, and traffic violation, especially in pedestrian zones.
It also sends a strong signal: even when a plea is offered, courts may impose lengthy sentences when harm is severe and avoidable.
Local officials and safety advocates have renewed calls for stricter red-light enforcement and greater deterrence against reckless driving.
Community Reaction
Victims’ family members described the sentence as a step toward justice, but emphasized that nothing can truly remedy the loss of a mother and daughter.
The crash—and the sentencing—has reignited public conversations about pedestrian safety, concert-area traffic control, and the consequences of driving under the influence.
The St. Louis court’s decision to sentence Monte Henderson to 21 years’ imprisonment highlights the grave consequences of reckless driving, especially when alcohol impairment, speeding, and red-light violations combine to devastate innocent lives.
While the sentence cannot undo the heartbreaking loss of a mother and daughter, it stands as a solemn reminder: behind every reckless maneuver on the road is human life, and the legal system may respond with the full weight of punishment.