The victim's family is upset about charges against the driver following the fatal US 60 crash in Mesa

MESA, AZ (AZFamily) – Friends and family of 22-year-olds Zoey Johnson and Rayme Barnes gathered outside Mesa Justice Court on Wednesday to express their grief and search for justice following last weekend's events.

Johnson was killed and 22-year-old Barnes was seriously injured after the women were involved in a fatal highway crash in Mesa.

Barnes was driving home on U.S. 60 Sunday when she ran out of gas and pulled over on the side of the road near Stapley Drive.

Johnson was called to help, and as both girls were working on the damaged vehicle, another car came across them, according to investigators.

“They were just tending to a broken down vehicle when the person pulling heavy equipment that shouldn't have been driving changed all of our lives forever,” said Barnes' aunt, Robin Dayhoff. “He should have been in prison and never had the opportunity to do what he did.”

Nicholas Meyer, 45, is now facing criminal charges in connection with the crash. However, Arizona's family has learned that Meyer has been driving with a revoked license for a long time.

Meyer also has dozens of other driving offenses dating back to 2014, ranging from speeding and unsafe lane changes to not having insurance.

Meyer made his first court appearance Wednesday, where he was charged with causing death and serious injury while driving with a revoked license.

Both are first class administrative offenses, i.e. the most serious form of administrative offenses.

The victims' families have expressed concern that Meyer is only being charged with misdemeanors, but defense attorney Robert McWhirter doesn't expect that to be the case for long.

“It usually takes about a day for the district attorney to review the case and go through the defendant’s criminal history,” McWhirter said. “I would be shocked if it doesn’t end up as a criminal offense in the High Court rather than the City Court by the end of the week.”

Johnson and Barnes were best friends and spent a lot of time together riding dirt bikes, camping and boating.

Barnes is still recovering at a Valley hospital. Meanwhile, the victims' families want to know how Meyer got back behind the wheel.

“It absolutely could have been avoided,” Dayhoff said. “He has a long criminal history which includes the majority of traffic offences. “We pray that we get justice for these girls. For Rayne and Zoey.”

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