Nearly three months after Noah Galle’s involvement in a fatal crash that killed six people, authorities have charged him with six counts of vehicular homicide. If found guilty, Noah faces up to 15 years in prison for each count of the second-degree felony.
The prosecution claims that Noah was driving his BMW at 151 mph when it struck the back of a Nissan Rogue carrying six employees of the Pero Family Farms. Five of the occupants were declared dead at the scene, and the sixth passed away at Delray Medical Center.
Noah was a minor in the eyes of the law when the fatal crash happened, leading to an increased focus on his parents.
The court ordered Noah Galle’s parents to supervise his house arrest
Following two months of investigations, Noah was arrested in early April to face charges of vehicular manslaughter. The judge set his bail at $300,000 and ordered his confinement in a juvenile detention center.
“‘Our hearts and prayers go out to the families of the six innocent victims in this tragedy,” State Attorney Dave Aronberg said. “We will seek justice by vigorously prosecuting this case.”
Noah’s attorney, Liz Parker, argued that the teen’s psychiatric medication may have caused the crash but didn’t specify the condition Noah was treated for. Liz added that Noah had been suffering suicidal thoughts and needed closer supervision from home.
“Since the night of the accident, Your Honor, he’s had a very difficult time dealing with the tragedy and he’s been seeing a psychiatrist,” Liz Parker said. The court rejected her argument, stating that the detention center was well-equipped to care for Noah.
However, in a subsequent hearing, the judge approved Noah’s home detention and instructed Noah’s parents, Craig and Helena Galle, to supervise his house arrest. The court also barred Noah from driving and contacting the victims’ families.
Despite emotional pleas from the victims’ families to keep Noah in jail, the court approved the defendant’s request. Lyndie Louis, the daughter of victim Marie Louis, said:
“I think that the defendant should be in jail and not at home. We can’t see our families now and why should he? This was a very reckless crime and not just for my mom — everybody’s lives. We need justice.”
Defense Attorney Julian M. Kessel told BocaNewsNow.com that the Galles are also victims of the tragedy. The attorney described Noah’s parents as devastated by the unfortunate events. Kessel said:
“This is a tragedy. Seven families have been forever altered, and Noah’s is one of them. Noah’s father is broken up. His mother cannot stop crying.”
Noah’s parents face a civil suit accusing them of being vicariously liable for the deaths
Robens Innocent, the husband of victim Mirlaine Julceus, filed a lawsuit accusing Noah’s parents of being vicariously liable for Mirlaine’s death. The complaint blamed Noah for recklessness and negligence and his parents for facilitating the deaths.
Innocent, through attorney Gregory Barnhart, claims Craig and Helena Galle are at least partially liable because they had a duty to make sure Noah operated his car ‘in a safe a careful manner.’
Furthermore, the suit claims that Craig and Helena were liable for the negligent acts of their son until he turned eighteen as they authorized him to apply for a driver’s license. The suit reads:
“Defendants Helena Galle and Craig Galle signed paperwork with the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles allowing their minor child, Noah Galle, to apply for a driver’s license in the State of Florida and to operate on the public roadways in Palm Beach County, Florida.”
Court documents allege that the claim is over $100,000, but the exact amount of claimed damages is unclear. The other families may present similar suits as Noah’s criminal prosecution continues.
Reports claim that Noah hails from a wealthy family. Craig Gale is a managing partner at Chapman and Galle PLC and has represented Palm Beach Polo and Country Club owner Glenn Straub.
The 2019 BMW M5 Noah was driving at the time of the accident retails at over $100,000.
Attorney Julian M. Kessel claimed that Noah was with family shortly before the crash, reducing the likelihood that he was high or intoxicated. Kessel said:
“There is no evidence that he was intoxicated on the night in question. Prior to (the crash) he was at home with his family. There was no drinking or drug use of any type.”
Investigators have yet to release Noah’s toxicology report.