Driver with DUI history seeks parole for 2022 crash that killed 13-year-old

Mason Andrew Ohms is seeking parole after being convicted in the death of Eli Mitchell, who was struck and killed while riding his bike.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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Nearly four years after a 13-year-old was killed, Mason Andrew Ohms, a driver with a history of DUIs who left the scene, is now seeking parole. Ohms was convicted in the death of Eli Mitchell, who was struck and killed while riding his bike on April 26, 2022. Eli's parents urged the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole to focus on the timeline that ended their son's life and the aftermath they say they live with every day.

Why it matters

This case highlights the devastating impact of drunk driving and the need for accountability, even years after the incident. It also raises questions about parole decisions for repeat offenders and whether rehabilitation efforts are sufficient to prevent future tragedies.

The details

According to the parole hearing, Ohms had been working earlier that day and then went to a bar where he consumed four 20-ounce beers. After the crash, Ohms removed Eli's bike from under his truck and fled the scene without calling for help. Investigators documented details like Eli's bag of candy still being attached to the mangled bike handlebars. Ohms later apologized and described his actions that day as "inexcusable" and "morally unacceptable."

  • On April 26, 2022, Eli Mitchell was struck and killed while riding his bike.
  • The parole hearing for Mason Andrew Ohms took place in 2026, nearly four years after the incident.

The players

Mason Andrew Ohms

A driver with a history of DUIs who was convicted in the death of Eli Mitchell and is now seeking parole.

Eli Mitchell

A 13-year-old boy who was struck and killed while riding his bike on April 26, 2022.

Jeremy Mitchell

Eli's father, who described the grief his family has experienced and the milestones Eli will never reach.

Lisa Mitchell

Eli's mother, who discussed the ripple effects of the tragedy beyond their family, including the impact on Eli's friends.

Dan Bakavovit

A member of the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole who questioned Ohms during the hearing.

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What they’re saying

“He did not call for help. He did not try to save a dying child.”

— Jeremy Mitchell, Eli's father (ksltv.com)

“I didn't have discipline. I ran and hid.”

— Mason Andrew Ohms (ksltv.com)

“These are moments I will never share with my son and it will only get harder. I will never see Eli graduate, serve a mission, attend college, get married, or raise a family.”

— Jeremy Mitchell, Eli's father (ksltv.com)

What’s next

The Utah Board of Pardons and Parole will vote on Ohms' parole request in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

This tragic case underscores the devastating consequences of drunk driving and the need for accountability, even years after an incident. It also raises questions about the effectiveness of rehabilitation efforts and parole decisions for repeat offenders to prevent future tragedies.