Driver Sentenced in Raleigh Parade Crash, Family to Receive Truck for Destruction

On Monday, November 16, 2025, Judge Paul Ridgeway sentenced Landen Glass for his role in the out of control pickup truck crash that killed 11 year old Hailey Brooks during the 2022 Raleigh Christmas Parade. Glass had pleaded guilty the previous Friday to obstruction of justice, death by motor vehicle, and carrying a dangerous weapon at the parade. The court imposed consecutive local jail terms and a state sentence, along with 400 hours of community service.

Ridgeway ordered a 75 day sentence in Wake County Jail for the misdemeanor death by vehicle charge, a 45 day sentence in Wake County Jail for carrying a firearm at the parade, and an eight to 19 month sentence for an obstruction charge to be served in the Department of Adult Corrections after the local terms. The judge said he hoped the outcome would serve as a teaching moment for Glass, who was 20 at the time of the crash.

The Brooks family addressed the court with victim impact statements detailing the personal toll of the loss. Hailey’s mother, April Brooks, said, "Landen, no punishment I would feel to be sufficient for killing my daughter," and added, "Look at the joy and pure innocence on her face." Hailey’s father, Trey Brooks, played videos of his daughter dancing and said, "Our grief is indescribable," while recounting the family’s ongoing trauma and struggles since the crash.

Part of the ruling transferred ownership of the vehicle involved, a 2011 GMC Sierra 2500, to the Brooks family. Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman said, "It was important to the family that this truck be taken off the road to ensure it cannot harm anyone else." Freeman noted that building the case required detailed reconstruction and extensive work by prosecutors and investigators, and that the combined sentence was comparable to what Glass might have faced for involuntary manslaughter.

Glass has been on electronic monitoring for most of the three years since the November 2022 incident. His attorney said Glass had no prior criminal record other than inspection violations related to the truck. In a statement read to the court, Glass said, "From the bottom of my heart, how terribly sorry I am to Mr. and Mrs. Brooks and the rest of the family. I know there are no words I can say that would truly tell you how sorry I am…I’ve never had any intentions to hurt Hailey…I want you to know that I do take responsibility for my actions and I am sorry for all the pain and sadness that I caused you."

The Brooks family said they will likely pursue legislative changes to improve parade safety. The Shine Like Hailey Parade Safety Act, introduced in 2023, would set state enforced requirements for operating vehicles during parades, a local policy development that could affect future community events across Wake County.