A Kentucky man who was out on bail for just a few days went on to carjack a truck while high on drugs, leading to a tragic crash that killed a 17-year-old high school cheerleader. Now, he’s facing the consequences of his actions.
Michael Jacob Dewitt, 31, has been sentenced to more than 24 years in prison for a 2021 carjacking that led to the death of Madelynn Troutt. In October, he admitted to a federal charge of carjacking resulting in death.
During his sentencing, Dewitt turned to Madelynn’s family and apologized, saying, “I have a debt to society.”
Hearing those words was unexpected for Madelynn’s mother, Marcie Troutt.
“I have to say, after four years, it’s something I wasn’t expecting to hear,” she shared. “But I’m glad I heard it, and I hope that he meant what he said. I hope my daughter’s death wasn’t in vain and that he truly changes his life.” She also spoke about how her faith has helped her through this heartbreaking journey.
The tragic series of events started on February 16, 2021, when Dewitt was arrested in Louisville. He was charged with receiving stolen property, public intoxication from drugs, and several other offenses. At one point, he even injured an officer while trying to escape from the police.
A group called The Bail Project stepped in and paid Dewitt’s $5,000 bail, stating that he was struggling with drug addiction and had agreed to seek treatment. Because of this, he was released from custody on February 24, 2021.
But instead of getting help, Dewitt committed another crime just five days later.
On March 1, 2021, while under the influence of amphetamines and benzodiazepines, he carjacked a 2011 Ford F350 at gunpoint from a local resident and sped off. His reckless driving led him into the opposite lane of Dixie Highway in Louisville, where he crashed into Madelynn’s car, taking her life.
Even after the crash, Dewitt didn’t stop. He hit a pole and then tried to run away, but witnesses held him at the scene until police arrived.
Madelynn was a senior at Butler High School, and her family had big dreams for her. She had been accepted to Bellarmine University, where she planned to study nursing. To honor her memory, her family created a scholarship at the university and organizes an annual golf scramble to raise funds for it.
After the tragedy, Madelynn’s family took legal action against The Bail Project, blaming them for releasing Dewitt. However, their lawsuit was unsuccessful.
Matthew McFarland, the regional director of The Bail Project, defended their decision. He explained that at the time, the information they had only showed Dewitt’s struggles with drug-related crimes.
“Hindsight is 20/20,” McFarland said. “If we had seen any sign that he was a danger to others, we would not have bailed him out.”
Dewitt has a long criminal history dating back to 2012, and this isn’t the end of his legal troubles. He still faces a state murder charge for Madelynn’s death.
