A previously deported illegal alien who fled the scene of a deadly 2010 drunk driving crash in Indianapolis, and then stayed on the run for 15 years, has been sentenced to just two years in prison for killing 16-year-old Megan Ratliff.
Israel Espinosa pleaded guilty to felony reckless homicide in Marion Superior Court on Thursday.
As part of a plea deal, prosecutors dropped additional charges, including failure to stop after a crash, operating a vehicle without a license, and failure to stop at the scene of an accident.
The crash occurred on November 27, 2010, at the intersection of Shelby and Madison streets on Indianapolis’ south side.
Espinosa was speeding in a Nissan Altima, reportedly around 70 mph, when he ran a red light and slammed into an SUV.
Megan Ratliff, a passenger in the SUV driven by her older sister Kayla, was partially ejected through the driver’s side window. She was pinned underneath the flipped vehicle and died at the scene.
Court documents and police reports noted open alcohol containers inside Espinosa’s vehicle.
Espinosa fled the scene on foot immediately after the impact and evaded capture for 15 years.
Megan Ratliff was a student at Perry Meridian High School.
Her family described her as a beloved daughter and sister.
Kayla Ratliff, who was driving and suffered injuries in the crash, later recounted the horror in interviews, saying, “If he could just understand an ounce of what he did to me, what I witnessed — I watched her, you know, I was stuck and couldn’t help her… When I looked in the mirror and saw that car going about 70 miles an hour, then the impact, and we were both screaming. My hand went through the window with her, and I couldn’t push a truck off the top of her.”
“I saw her, and I was just screaming, and for him to run like a coward, it was a very cowardly thing to do, and he deserves what comes to him,” Kayla said.
Espinosa, who was in the country illegally and had previously been deported, was finally located and arrested by the FBI in Oklahoma in September. He was extradited back to Indiana to face justice.
The Ratliff family expressed deep disappointment with the plea deal and lenient sentence.
The family of Megan Ratliff released this statement to me a few minutes ago.
Megan was a daughter and had 3 sisters. One was driving the car when police say Israel Espinoza was drunk driving, crashed into them and left the scene….
15 years ago. He was found in Oklahoma Friday.… pic.twitter.com/iZzCDjPtRv
— Angela Ganote (@angelaganote) September 29, 2025
In a statement shared after the sentencing, the family said they are struggling with the outcome but appreciate the public support.
“We would like everyone to know how much we appreciate all of the support and love we are receiving by this news however this is a very difficult, heavy and confusing time for us right now so please be patient with us as we process and comfort each other,” the family said.
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