Families of Victims Oppose Release Modification for Nicholas Meyer

Reporter: Madison Rhea Koehler

An Arizona resident was denied release after being charged with the death of a young girl and injury of another with a revoked license. 

The families of Zoey Johnson and Rayme Barnes urged a judge on Friday to deny Nicholas Meyer’s request for modified release conditions, arguing that his extensive history of reckless driving makes him a danger to the community. 

As Meyers took his seat and faced the court while being shackled at his ankles and wrists, spectators cried, clutching their “Shred with Zoey” bracelets, a tribute to her love of dirtbikes and snowboaring. 

Johnson’s mother, Samantha Clemans, fought back tears as she addressed the judge saying that many peoples lives were shattered as a result of the defendants reckless driving. 

"You honor, as you will hear, Nicholas Meyer has no regard for the public safety, the law, or for other peoples lives," she said. 

Judge Sunita Cairo rejected the motion, saying that Meyer’s record demonstrated that he is a danger to the community. 

Meyer’s criminal driving record spans 42 pages of infractions, including over 25 citations for reckless driving, speeding, and driving on a suspended license. 

Despite previous convictions, including a DUI in 2007 and three felony offenses, he continued to violate traffic laws. His license has been revoked since the year after he got it when he was 18. 

The longest he has gone without violating any laws, was the five years he was in jail from 2007-2012 according to the Arizona court information. 

Barnes, who survived the crash, has been diagnosed with drop foot and faces potential permanent nerve damage. Although she was left with significant physical injuries, she said the incident has also left with her long lasting emotional and mental trauma. 

“ The loss of my friend has completely shattered me,” said Barnes, “she was there helping me and now I live with the guilt of not being able to save her.” 

In the defendants motion to modify release conditions, his lawyer stated that he has strong ties to the community.

In a court room packed full of dozens of friends and family of the victims, Clifford Sherr, the attorney representing Zoey Johnson’s family, strongly condemned Meyer’s motion for release. 

"This is the most frivolous motion I have ever seen in my 50 years of practicing law—an insult to the court," Sherr said. 

The families emphasized that Meyer’s continued disregard for the law poses an ongoing threat to public safety. The motion detailed how he had been stopped twice in the months leading up to the fatal crash for driving on the wrong side of the road and without a license. 

Clemens said, that she will make sure people like Meyers stay off the road for good so this does not happen to someone else’s little girl. 

Zoey Johnson was remembered by her family as a free spirit who lived life to the fullest. Her mother, Samantha Clemans, recently got a tattoo in honor of her daughter’s motto, "Live life in the moment." 

"She truly did live every day to the fullest," Clemans said.