By Staff Writer, John Kling
August 4, 2025
M.A.G.A. Daily News
DRUNK DRIVER SENTENCED FOR KILLING DEPUTY AND DAUGHTER IN RIVERSIDE COUNTY
Scott Brandon Bales Receives 30-Year to Life in Tragic DUI Case
Drunk driver sentenced for killing deputy and daughter—a phrase that should shake every American to their core. The California justice system delivered a rare but powerful blow last week, sentencing Scott Brandon Bales, 49, to 30 years to life in state prison for causing the deaths of a respected Riverside County correctional deputy and his 19-year-old daughter.
Clearly this was not an accident. This was not misfortune. This was the result of repeated, conscious decisions by a man who had five prior DUI convictions and continued to drive drunk. The deadly crash that took the lives of Correctional Corporal Daniel Jacks Jr. and his daughter, Hannah Jacks, was a long time coming—and entirely preventable.
GILMAN SPRINGS ROAD BECOMES DEADLY CROSSROAD
Repeat Offender’s Recklessness Destroys a Family
On the night of November 13, 2022, Bales was driving a Chevrolet Silverado in Moreno Valley. He veered into oncoming traffic on Gilman Springs Road, slamming head-on into the vehicle carrying Corporal Jacks and his daughter. The collision was violent. Both victims died at the scene.
Bales had a blood alcohol level of .102—well above California’s legal limit—and showed zero signs of remorse. He had marijuana in his system and a long history of DUI arrests dating back over a decade. This wasn’t just a one-time lapse in judgment. It was a lifestyle of lawlessness—enabled by a justice system more interested in rehabilitation than accountability.
FAMILY SHATTERED, COMMUNITY OUTRAGED
Victim’s Widow Delivers Gut-Wrenching Statement
During sentencing, Denay Jacks, the grieving widow and mother, stood in court and faced her husband’s killer. Her voice cracked with emotion as she said, “You didn’t just kill my husband and daughter. You shattered my entire world.”
She spoke of Daniel’s commitment to public safety and Hannah’s dreams of becoming a nurse. She reminded the courtroom that Bales had been warned repeatedly about the risks of drunk driving—and chose to ignore them.
Bales briefly turned and muttered, “I’m sorry.” But it was hollow. Empty. The courtroom didn’t buy it, and neither did the public.
FIVE DUIS AND A DEADLY PATTERN
Why Was He Ever Allowed Back Behind the Wheel?
California’s soft-on-crime policies are once again under fire. Bales had four prior DUI convictions before the fatal crash, including a felony DUI. And yet—he was still driving.
Let’s be honest: under Democrat-led policies, repeat offenders like Bales are coddled. Sentencing is lax. Early release is common. And the victims? Forgotten.
This case is a clear signal that California lawmakers must strengthen penalties for DUI. No more slaps on the wrist. No more second, third, or fifth chances. One DUI might be a mistake. Five is a ticking time bomb—and the Jacks family paid the price.
THE PEOPLE MUST SPEAK OUT
Will This Be the Case That Forces Real Reform?
Let this tragedy ignite a movement. The drunk driver sentenced for killing deputy and daughter must be more than a headline—it must be a turning point.
Parole should not be an option for someone who destroys two lives after five DUIs. The minimum sentence should be life without the possibility of release. If we can’t protect our law enforcement families, who are we protecting?
Email us your thoughts. Should California institute a three-strike law for DUI? Should repeat offenders lose their licenses permanently? Do you trust the current system to prevent this from happening again?
Your voice matters. Let us know at Press@MagaDailyNews.com.
This case is more than a local tragedy—it’s a national warning. If we stay silent, we allow more Scott Bales types to roam our streets. Let the phrase drunk driver sentenced for killing deputy and daughter be the last of its kind.
Support victims. Demand accountability. Join the conversation today.
This article may be updated with more information as it becomes available. For related coverage, visit California Crime Report or Riverside County Sheriff’s News.
