The driver accused of driving the truck that hit and killed an 11-year-old girl during the 2022 Raleigh Christmas Parade pleaded guilty to three charges in court on Friday afternoon.
Landen Glass pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice, death by motor vehicle and having a dangerous weapon at a parade. Glass was behind the wheel of an out-of-control pickup truck that hit and killed 11-year-old Hailey Brooks during the November 2022 parade.
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On Friday, Judge Paul Ridgeway said Glass could serve up to 8.5 months behind bars. Victim impact statements are expected to resume on Monday, which is when Glass could receive his sentencing.
Hailey's mother, April Brooks, spoke in court on Friday.
"As a mother, my worst nightmare had come true," April Brooks said. "I was going to have to bury my child before me. It's not supposed to be that way."
Raleigh police said Glass lost control of his truck after the vehicle's brakes failed on Nov. 19, 2022.
Hailey was a dancer with CC & Company Dance Complex, performing in the parade when Glass lost control of his truck.
"You should have never been at the parade to begin with," April Brooks said to Glass. "You should have never been trusted to fulfill this responsibility."
Glass was arrested at the scene. He has been out on bond, on house arrest at home in Virginia, since March 2023.
The parties began discussing a plea deal in September, and Glass officially accepted the plea on Friday.
"This is one of the hardest things that I've ever had to do," April Brooks said Friday in court. "I would first like to thank many people who have worked countless hours to bring justice for Hailey."
April Brooks added, "[There is] no punishment I would feel to be sufficient for killing my daughter."
She recalled the events of the November 2022 parade.
"Never in a million years would I have thought that would be the last time I saw my daughter Hailey alive," April Brooks said.
Trey Brooks, Hailey's father, dropped her off with her dance team at the start of the parade along Hillsborough Street. April Brooks and her two children waited at the end of the parade along Fayetteville Street in downtown Raleigh.
"A few acts went by, and then there was this long pause in the parade, and I remember thinking to myself that, 'This is really weird,'" April Brooks said. "We had no idea what was going on."
Hailey's siblings also spoke in court on Friday along with her grandmother, grandfather and aunts.
"Landon, I forgive you, but I hope you realize your foolish actions took away a loving, kind, caring sister, daughter, best friend, cousin, niece [and] granddaughter," said Hailey's sister, Molly Brooks.
"I miss you and I love you so much," Hailey's grandmother said of her late granddaughter. "I say good morning to you when I wake up, and I tell you to have a good day in heaven."
"Hailey was killed through ignorance, arrogance and negligence," Hailey's grandfather said.
"You are not defined by this moment in time," Hailey's aunt Heather said to Glass. "However, you do have a choice in how you allow it to shape your future here on Earth and most importantly for eternity."
On Friday, two mothers of Hailey's friends also spoke on behalf of their daughters in court. Pictures of Hailey appeared on a monitor while they spoke.
Civil cases against dance company, parade organizers
After their daughter's death, Hailey Brooks' family sued Glass, the dance company, Greater Raleigh Merchant Association, ShopLocal Raleigh and D&L Floats, claiming all parties played a role in her death.
Hailey's death was "a result of the gross negligence and recklessness of Landen Glass and the organizations and individuals entrusted with ensuring the safety of the parade’s participants," their suit claimed.
The family has since settled with CC and Company, the float business and Glass.
Their suit against Greater Raleigh Merchant Association and Shop Local Raleigh, the organizers of the annual Raleigh Christmas parade, is still winding its way through the courts.
Shine Like Hailey brings parade safety measures across NC
The Brooks family has also pushed for changes to how parades are planned, who can participate and how vehicles are inspected for safety.
A bill carrying her name has failed to advance in the state senate, but several municipalities have revisited their parade policies, requiring that local authorities inspect every vehicle that will roll in a parade, and that drivers to be at least 25. (Glass was 20 when he was arrested.)
In the year following Hailey's death, the Raleigh Christmas parade proceeded without vehicles or floats.
In June 2024, the city passed new guidelines, including a detailed list of requirements for those who drive in a parade and how vehicles are inspected for safety.