Desiree R. Peavler, 53, pleaded guilty to a single misdemeanor count of involuntary manslaughter and single summary counts of vehicle turning left and careless driving – unintentional death.

Peavler was originally facing a felony count of homicide by vehicle and a summary count of reckless driving. Those charges were dismissed by President Judge Wade A. Kagarise upon his acceptance of Peavler’s plea deal.

Charges were filed against Peavler on Nov. 6, 2023, more than a year after the fatal crash on Sept. 18, 2022, that claimed the life of Christopher Cowfer, 38. Her case remained inactive until February 2025, when she was extradited from Texas.

Members of Cowfer’s family attended Peavler’s sentencing, including Cowfer’s fiancee, April Rhoades.

Peavler

Accompanied to the podium by one of her and Cowfer’s sons, Rhoades addressed Peavler directly, telling her that she had taken away the father of her children. She said Peavler’s decision to drive a car uninsured “cost us everything” and that Peavler still hadn’t taken responsibility for her actions.

“I hope one day you realize the depth of pain you have caused by prolonging this,” Rhoades said.

Rhoades remained at the podium while her younger son, Logan Cowfer, read his impact statement.

Through tears, Logan Cowfer told Peavler that she took “the man who meant everything to me” and how he had trouble sleeping at night because he thought about all the things his father would miss.

“All I have now are memories,” Logan Cowfer said. “I wish I could go back and see him.”

Cowfer’s sister and nephew also read impact statements.

Prior to Peavler’s sentencing, defense attorney Tyler Rowles acknowledged that the day’s proceedings were happening on what would have been the first day of Peavler’s criminal jury trial.

When given the opportunity to speak, Peavler told Kagarise she apologized. Kagarise then instructed Peavler to turn around and apologize instead to Cowfer’s family, which she did. His family gave no response.

In addition to the county prison sentence, Kagarise ordered Peavler to be on 18 months’ probation upon her release, have no contact with Cowfer’s family, pay $325 in fines and pay the cost of extradition in the amount of $4,124.

Peavler received credit for time served from the date she was taken into custody in Texas on Jan. 14.

The case stems from the Sept. 18, 2022, crash in which Peavler was driving a black Hyundai

Sonata sedan shortly before 8 p.m., when she attempted a left turn from the middle lane of East Pleasant Valley Boulevard onto Stadium Drive in Antis Township. Cowfer, who was wearing a helmet, was driving a motorcycle in the southbound lane.

Peavler struck Cowfer head-on, throwing him from the motorcycle. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police said the Sonata’s airbag was deployed in the crash.

Peavler told officers she remembered having her left turn signal on, but didn’t remember making the left turn. She said she heard a loud bang, saw Cowfer bleeding on the road and got out of her vehicle to wave people down to call 911.

Police also interviewed two witnesses who saw the Sonata in the middle lane with the left turn signal on and the motorcycle traveling in the southbound lane. The witnesses went past the sedan, heard a large bang, looked behind them and saw that a crash had occurred.

They then turned around to help at the scene.

Mirror Staff Writer Rachel Foor is at 814-946-7458.