A heartbreaking case in Nevada has left a family grieving the loss of a beloved father after a reckless driver mowed him down while he was crossing the street. The driver, Karen Cannon, 64, is now facing prison time for her actions that led to the death of Patrick Deloriea, a 32-year-old bartender and martial artist, in May 2025.
Nevada Woman Sentenced After Killing Father in Hit-and-Run
Karen Cannon was sentenced to 3 to 8 years in prison after pleading guilty to reckless driving resulting in death and failing to stop at the scene of the crash. The tragic incident occurred on May 2025 when Cannon struck Patrick Deloriea, sending his body soaring 155 feet into the air. The collision occurred at the intersection of Vegas Drive and Rainbow Boulevard, where Deloriea was crossing the street.
The Details of the Tragic Incident
On the night of the incident, Cannon was speeding at 66.3 mph in a 35 mph zone. The high-speed impact killed Deloriea, but Cannon fled the scene without attempting to render aid. She later took her Tesla Model Y to a body shop, claiming that the car had struck a coyote. Cannon filed a claim with AAA, saying she had dropped off a friend before hitting the animal.
However, the owner of the body shop where Cannon took her car to be repaired became suspicious after hearing news reports about Deloriea’s death. He contacted the police and handed over the front left fender from Cannon’s car, which was later used as evidence in the investigation.
Cannon’s Apology and Family’s Response
At her sentencing hearing, Cannon tearfully begged for forgiveness, expressing regret for her actions. “Please forgive me, please,” she pleaded with Deloriea’s family. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for this to happen.”
However, Deloriea’s family was not moved by her apology. As she spoke, Deloriea’s family members shouted “no” in response to her plea for forgiveness. “I won’t forgive her and I don’t think God will forgive her,” said Melody Peterson, Deloriea’s mother. “She will be judged in front of God.”
The Impact on Deloriea’s Family
The loss of Patrick Deloriea has devastated his wife, Rebecca Marie Hahn, and their 2-year-old son. At the hearing, Hahn held up a photo of her husband and child while describing the emotional toll of her loss. “The loss of my husband has completely and permanently changed my life,” she said.
District Judge Danielle Pieper, during the sentencing, emphasized the gravity of Cannon’s actions, stating, “There’s no consequence to the bad driving until it gets to a position where we’re in the courtroom and one person has pled guilty and you have a family who will never get back a person.”
A Reckless and Heartbreaking Tragedy
The case of Karen Cannon and Patrick Deloriea highlights the tragic consequences of reckless driving and hit-and-run accidents. Cannon’s decision to flee the scene, fabricate a story about hitting a coyote, and her overall lack of responsibility for the death of Deloriea, have left his family heartbroken and seeking justice.
While Cannon’s prison sentence can never bring back Deloriea or undo the emotional damage done to his loved ones, it serves as a reminder of the severe consequences that come with reckless and dangerous driving.
