OWATONNA, Minn. (FOX 9) – Taylor Ades’ family is taking things one day at a time, after receiving heartbreaking news in late October. Taylor was killed in hit-and-run crash along County Road 45 Oct. 30 in Owatonna.

“He was walking to a storage unit when he was hit…Probably the most heartbreaking thing is I’ll never hear his voice again,” Taylor’s father, Arnold Ades, told FOX 9.

Authorities say Derek Denselbeck is responsible. The 42-year-old man has three DWI offenses dating back to the early 2000s.

Last month, law enforcement recognized that debris on the road resembled a car they knew he was driving. A witness also told police he saw the car stopped with a broken headlight and found it odd because it was not a wooded area and it was unlikely it would hit a deer at all. this place.

“He treated my son worse than you treat a wild animal,” Arnold said. “He showed no remorse. He claimed he hit a deer.”

Denselbeck later told investigators the crash was like hitting a wall and he didn’t see anything until he heard a bang. Then he got out of the car, but found nothing outside.

Detectives learned the vehicle was traveling 57 miles per hour upon impact and the brakes were not applied, according to the truck’s engine control module.

Now, as he grieves, Arnold plans to lobby Minnesota lawmakers, hoping to change sentencing guidelines.

“Minnesota’s laws need to be changed…it’s infuriating to hear a prosecutor who is supposed to be fighting for my son turn around and say, ‘well, he could get two years,'” Arnold said. “What do you mean he could be sentenced to prison?”

If convicted, Denselbeck could spend up to a decade behind bars. After his arrest, he posted a $10,000 non-monetary bond.

“He was arrested on Wednesday. He was a free man on Friday. In what world is that a form of justice?” Arnold finished. “They just opened the door for this to happen to so many other people.”

The Ades family plans to celebrate Taylor’s life with a ceremony on November 22. She is accepting donations to help pay for funeral expenses during this GoFundMe fundraiser.