Man sentenced to decades in prison for DUI crash that killed Florida teen

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WAFF) - A man who pleaded guilty to murder for causing the crash that killed a Florida teenager was sentenced Thursday morning.

Byron Mayo was sentenced to 50 years in prison for murder and 20 years each for two counts of first-degree assault for causing the wreck that killed 16-year-old Mikey Stroz and injured Stroz’s father and sister. According to the prosecutor, the assault sentence will run concurrently with the murder sentence.

“Today, justice has been served,” said Jacklynn Stroz, Mikey’s mother, “This pain won’t ever leave our side and you know, we’re learning how to find joy in this space and in this life”

The Stroz family said they were in Huntsville visiting relatives in 2021 the week before the crash. They were on their home to Florida when Mayo hit them driving on the wrong side of the road on Highway 431 near Oak Grove Road.

Investigators said Mayo had a blood-alcohol level of 0.119, more than twice the legal limit, four hours after the crash.]

“I’m disappointed that we even have to be here in the first place,” said Mikey’s father Mike Stroz, “I feel like this is a crime that easily could have been prevented. It was one person making a very stupid selfish decision that has just torn our family apart.”

Mike said the thought of losing a child is every parent’s worst nightmare. He said his son loved sports and was a natural at lacrosse, but more importantly, he loved his family and friends the most.

“Mikey was a special kid. As his dad, I could not be more proud of the young man and the things that he accomplished in 16 years,” said Mike, “He was just, he was a great kid and I I just miss him. I miss him terribly.”

Mikey’s parents describe him as someone who could light up a room almost instantly and said they will forever keep him in their hearts

Mayo is currently booked at the Madison County Jail.

Assistant district attorney Shauna Barnett said all male DOC-sentenced inmates get taken to Kilby Correctional Facility first where they are in-processed and given any necessary medical/mental health screenings. Then they are classified based on various factors such as their history, age, nature of the current charge, and escape/discipline risk. Then they are transferred out of Kilby and into the facility that best meets the classification of the inmate and the resources available to DOC.

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