Woman in fatal DUI involving Cocopah tribal council member accepts plea deal
Eduardo Morales
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – 51-year-old Candice Hurt has accepted a plea deal for causing the crash that killed 75-year-old Cocopah tribal council member Irwin Twist in June 2024.
Under the agreement Hurt will serve 10.5 years in prison and pled guilty to manslaughter.
According to the court, Hurt was under the influence of multiple substances at the time of the crash.
Shelyne Twist, Irwin’s niece, says there is a little comfort knowing this case is coming closer to closure.
“Just the tiniest sense of relief that this is finally somewhat coming to a close, that some justice has been served, it doesn’t bring anything back, it doesn’t change anything,” Sheylne says.
Heather Twist, another one of Irwin’s nieces, echoes Shelyne’s view that hurt should serve more time .
“It was such a tragic loss, you know there’s no words for what somebody should get, but when you know the factors of the case, and you know the underlining irresponsible acts that somebody took it’s a hard pill to swallow for 10.5,” Heather said.
While it may be hard to swallow, remembering the kind of person Irwin was brings some comfort.
“He worked with many organizations with the tribe, with the city of Yuma, with Yuma County, he was a leader, he was a great man, he was a helpful man,” Shelyne says.
Candice Hurt was out of custody for the duration of the proceedings, but after Friday’s court hearing, she will remain behind bars until her sentencing which is scheduled for early August.