Tyler Watkins
•7/31/2026
The family of Jaciey Hogan, a 17-year-old girl who died in a crash last year, shared emotional testimony in a Lee County courtroom as the driver involved submitted an open plea of no contest. Issac Sales was driving 40 miles over the speed limit on Gladiolus Drive last year when he ran a red light and hit another car. Hogan, his passenger, did not survive. Today, Sales submitted an open plea of no contest, leaving his fate up to the judge. Several people took the stand during the hearing. Sales’ mother argued for a lesser sentence for her son, prompting multiple members of Hogan’s family to leave the courtroom. Hogan’s grandmother and uncle also testified. Trisha Johnson, Hogan’s mother, delivered an emotional testimony against Sales at the end of the hearing. "Jaciey was my whole life for 18 years. I spent her whole life working two or three jobs for her to have a good life and a good future," Johnson said. "In my 41 years on Earth, that's my biggest regret: that I didn’t run a background check on you or your mom," she added. Sales’ sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 4. DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment, and original programming on your TV.
