Sister on mission to get justice nearly a year after deadly crash in Garner: 'He killed my family'

WAKE COUNTY, N.C. (WTVD) -- Susan Campbell's sister is on a mission to bring the family justice. She came to court on Monday along with some of Campbell's coworkers.

They were all wearing shirts showing the Campbell family during happier times before tragedy unfolded.

"I had to watch my nephew incubated, extubated, and his organs donated at 8 years old," said Peggy Jane Dodson Harris.

Susan Campbell, her husband, Tyler and their 8-year-old son Miles were all killed in a crash last summer in Garner.

"You run a red light at 82 miles an hour and a 45-mile-an-hour zone, and you take three lives instantly," said Harris.

Police say Jordan Porter was speeding and under the influence when he ran a red light and crashed into the Campbell family.

"He didn't even look our way, didn't even look our way. All I can feel is hate, rage," said Harris. "I'm mad as hell and he has no right to ever get out of jail. I don't care if it's 30 years. I don't care if he pleads. He never deserves to get out of jail. He killed my family."

SEE ALSO | Garner family left lasting impact on friends and neighbors

Porter has been charged with three counts of murder.

"We've never disputed the fact that Jordan is responsible for these three deaths. He's willing to accept responsibility for that," said Porter's Defense attorney Karl Knudsen.

The defense says he is willing to plead guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter.

"We just believe that he's been way overcharged in this situation," said Knudsen. "He's obviously very sad and he's remorseful and he's away from his family. He had a new child that was born while he's locked up, but there are consequences to what people do. He's prepared to accept those consequences."

Court records obtained by ABC11 Eyewitness News showed Porter has a lengthy history of traffic violations. They date back to 2015 and range in severity. All of those charged were dismissed except for two incidents.

"If this had been done, taken care of years ago, my family would still be alive. And I would not had to have celebrated three birthdays this year at a graveyard," said Harris.

Porter is being held on a $3 million bond.

Both sides are now preparing to go to trial. The prosecution says that it could happen early in 2026.

History of traffic violations

Court records obtained by ABC11 showed Porter has a lengthy history of traffic violations that date back to 2015 and range in severity. Except for two incidents, those charges were all dismissed. The circumstances of the dismissals were not immediately clear.

• Porter was charged and pleaded guilty to consuming alcohol under 21 and failure to maintain lane control on New Year's Day 2018.

• In June 2015, he was found responsible for running a red light.

• Court records also showed that he just received a speeding ticket for driving 21 mph above the speed limit last month. This case is still working its way through the system.