Truck driver pleads guilty 3 years after Raleigh Christmas Parade dancer’s death

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Nearly three years after 11-year-old dancer Hailey Brooks was hit and killed in the 2022 Raleigh Christmas Parade, the driver knows his fate.

Landen Glass, who was driving the truck that hit Hailey on Nov. 19, 2022, pleaded guilty Friday to three charges related to the deadly accident: felony obstruction of justice, misdemeanor death by vehicle and dangerous weapon at a parade.

He had been charged with involuntary manslaughter after police said he lost control of his truck when his brakes failed while he was pulling a float. He hit Hailey, who was a dancer with CC & Co. Dance Complex. She later died from her injuries.

Glass was sentenced to a total of 262 days of incarceration and must serve 400 hours of community service at a non-profit when he is released.

For the felony charge specifically, he received a sentence of eight to 19 months suspended for 36 months of supervised probation.

Hailey Brooks’ family and friends of the family were in court Friday, alongside the family.

“Something inside me broke, my stomach hurt. I couldn’t imagine someone who was such a big part of my life could be gone forever. At the six-month memorial, as the time passed, the pain didn’t disappear,” said Bonnie Harris, a friend of the family.

Glass’s attorney said in September that a possible plea deal was in the works.

The family dropped their civil lawsuit against Glass in 2024.

The ABC11 I-Team discovered that prior to the 2022 deadly parade accident, Glass had faced charges for state law vehicle violations in Virginia, including multiple failures to have a vehicle inspected.

Hailey Brooks’ family’s advocacy

Hailey Brooks’ parents, Trey and April Brooks, continue to advocate for tougher restrictions and inspections for vehicles in parades. Although the bill failed to become law, they’re still pushing lawmakers to consider the bill and pass it.

They say their priority has always been and continues to be Hailey’s life and legacy. In 2023, they started the Shine Like Hailey foundation in her honor.

Trey and April spoke with ABC11’s Steve Daniels a year after Hailey died. They said their deep faith helps them cope.

“We’re still broken and we get up and we fight each day,” Trey said. “We have strength from our Lord above and through the people in the community and our friends who’ve stayed by our side.”

This story was originally published November 14, 2025 at 4:25 PM.