A Florida judge sentenced 20-year-old Noah Galle to 12.5 years in prison for a high-speed crash that killed six people in Palm Beach County in 2022. Galle, who was 17 at the time of the incident, pleaded guilty to six counts of vehicular homicide. His sentencing comes nearly three years after the fatal crash, which prosecutors described as a tragic consequence of reckless driving and social media influence.
The crash occurred on January 27, 2022, when Galle's BMW M5, traveling at 151 mph, slammed into the rear of a Nissan Rogue on U.S. Route 441 near Delray Beach. The impact sent the SUV off the road, flipping it upside down and crushing the back of the vehicle. Five of the six occupants, all farmworkers heading home after their shift, died at the scene. The sixth victim succumbed to injuries at a hospital.
The victims were identified as Mirlaine Julceus, the driver, and passengers Filaine Dieu, Vanice Percina, Remize Michel, Marie M. Louis, and Saint L. Michel. Galle, the sole occupant of his vehicle, sustained only a minor ankle injury.
Despite initial reports from first responders noting the smell of alcohol and slurred speech, toxicology tests found no substances in Galle's system. Investigators instead focused on his history of reckless behavior, uncovering a pattern of social media posts showcasing high-speed driving.
Using the handle "M5.Noah," Galle had shared videos on TikTok and Instagram of himself speeding on Florida highways, some recorded mere weeks before the crash. In one post, he offered $25 to anyone who could guess his speed. Authorities also noted a sticker with his Instagram handle on the windows of his BMW.
Galle faced up to 15 years in prison for each count of vehicular homicide, a potential sentence of 90 years. However, under a plea agreement, he will serve 12.5 years in prison, followed by seven years of probation. His probation terms include a three-year suspension of his driver's license, 800 hours of community service, mandatory attendance at a victim impact panel, and completion of a 12-hour driving course.
Chief Assistant State Attorney Alan Johnson emphasized that the victims' families supported the plea deal, with some expressing a desire for leniency. "The victims all have written to us that they do not object to this," Johnson told CBS 12 in West Palm Beach. "Some of them didn't even want him to go to jail at all. One wanted us to drop the case entirely."
None of the victims' families were present in court for the sentencing. Johnson acknowledged the unique circumstances surrounding the case, noting that while no sentence could bring back the lives lost, the families' wishes played a significant role in shaping the plea agreement.
Galle will remain under house arrest until February 3, when he is scheduled to report to a Florida state prison to begin serving his sentence. The case has sparked broader conversations about the role of social media in promoting dangerous behavior among teenagers and the legal consequences of such actions.
