Judge Orders Prison Time for Driver Who Killed Father on E-Bike

Last updated on June 24, 2025 @ 9:55 PM PT

A Las Vegas judge sentenced a drunk driver to six to 20 years in prison Tuesday after he struck and killed a father who was riding his electric bicycle to pick up his young daughters from school.

The Sentence

Jesus Robles, 49, received his sentence after pleading guilty in April to driving under the influence resulting in death. The court proceedings took place at the Regional Justice Center, where prosecutors chose not to make a specific sentencing recommendation.

Robles wept during the hearing as family members of the victim spoke about their loss.

What Happened That Day

The fatal crash occurred in February on Jones Boulevard near Elkhorn Road. Authorities determined that Robles was driving an unregistered Chevrolet Tahoe northbound when he hit James McCoy Jr., who was 63 years old.

McCoy was on his way to pick up his two daughters from school when the collision happened. The girls are 6 and 8 years old.

Court records show that Robles has another pending DUI case in Las Vegas Municipal Court.

A Family Torn Apart

Barbara Leach, McCoy’s 86-year-old mother, addressed the court during sentencing. She now has custody of her son’s daughters along with her own daughter.

“This person murdered my son,” Leach told the judge.

The grandmother shared heartbreaking details about how the tragedy has affected the children. McCoy’s older daughter, Lili, has asked several times when the man who killed her father would go to jail. The 8-year-old understands what happened but rarely discusses it.

The Youngest Victim’s Pain

The impact on McCoy’s 6-year-old daughter, Yoyo, has been particularly devastating. According to Leach, the little girl has said things that no child should ever have to say.

“She wishes she were dead so she could be with her daddy in heaven,” Leach revealed to the court. “She feels the loss terribly.”

A Life Cut Short

McCoy had spent 10 years teaching history in China before his death. The mother of his daughters still lives there. His sudden death has left his family struggling to care for two young children while dealing with their own grief.

The case highlights the ongoing problem of drunk driving and its devastating consequences for families. Robles’ sentencing brings some closure to the family, but the loss of McCoy continues to impact his daughters and extended family every day.