The victim’s family is concerned about charges for a driver after a fatal crash on U.S. 60 in Mesa

MESA, AZ (AZ Family) — Friends and family of 22-year-old Zoey Johnson and Rayme Barnes gathered outside a Mesa courthouse Wednesday to express their grief and seek justice after what happened last weekend.

Johnson was killed and 22-year-old Barnes was seriously injured after the women were involved in a fatal crash on a Mesa highway.

On Sunday, Barnes was driving home on U.S. 60 she ran out of gas and pulled over to the side of the road near Stapley Drive.

Johnson was called for help, and while the two girls were working on the damaged vehicle, investigators say another car hit them.

“They were just dealing with a damaged vehicle, and a person hauling heavy equipment who shouldn’t have been driving changed our lives forever,” said Barnes’ aunt, Robin Dayhoff. “He should be in prison and should never have been allowed to do what he did.”

Nicholas Meyer, 45, now faces criminal charges in connection with the accident. However, Arizona’s family learned that Meyer had a long history of driving with a suspended license.

Meyer also has dozens of other driving offenses on his record since 2014, ranging from speeding and unsafe lane changes to having no insurance.

On Wednesday, Meyer appeared in court for the first time, where he was charged with causing death while driving with a suspended license and causing serious injury.

Both are class 1 misdemeanors, the most serious form of misdemeanor.

Victims’ families have expressed concern that Meyer will only face a misdemeanor, but criminal defense attorney Robert McWhirter doesn’t think it will stay that way for long.

“Typically, the district attorney reviews the case and looks at the defendant’s criminal history,” McWhirter said. “I would be shocked if by the end of the week this wasn’t charged as a crime in the Supreme Court rather than in municipal court.”

Johnson and Barnes were best friends and spent a lot of time together, dirt bike riding, camping and boating.

Barnes continues to recover at a Valley hospital. Meanwhile, the victims’ families want to know how Meyer got back behind the wheel.

“This could have been completely avoided,” Dayhoff said. “He has a lengthy criminal history including most driving offences. “We pray that we will bring justice to these girls. For Rayne and Zoey.

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