AI Avatar of Road Rage Victim Addresses His Killer in US, Says ‘We Could’ve Been Friends’
In a heart-wrenching and unprecedented move, the family of Chris Pelkey, a 44-year-old army combat veteran who was tragically killed in a road rage incident in Arizona in 2021, recreated his AI avatar to confront his killer in court. The AI avatar, which was created using Pelkey’s voice and appearance, delivered a powerful and emotional message to the accused, expressing regret that their encounter ended in tragedy.
Pelkey’s avatar appeared in court in Phoenix, Arizona, on November 21, 2022, and addressed the accused, 31-year-old Joshua Jeremiah, who was charged with first-degree murder in connection with the fatal shooting. The avatar’s words were a poignant and haunting reminder of the devastating consequences of road rage and the loss of a life that could have been saved.
“It’s a shame we encountered each other that day in those circumstances,” Pelkey’s avatar said, its voice trembling with emotion. “In another life, we probably could’ve been friends. You know, talked about our shared love of motorcycles, or our favorite sports teams. But that day, something changed. You got mad, and that’s when everything went wrong.”
Pelkey’s family and friends had been advocating for the use of AI avatars in court proceedings, hoping to provide a sense of closure and justice for the victim. The avatar’s appearance in court was a historic moment, marking the first time a murder victim’s AI avatar had confronted their killer in a US court.
The road rage incident that took Pelkey’s life occurred on November 22, 2021, at a traffic signal in Phoenix. According to eyewitnesses, Jeremiah had been tailgating Pelkey’s vehicle, and when the traffic light turned green, he pulled up alongside Pelkey and began arguing with him. The altercation quickly escalated, and Jeremiah shot Pelkey multiple times before fleeing the scene.
Pelkey, a father of two, was pronounced dead at the scene. His family and friends were left to pick up the pieces and navigate the aftermath of his senseless killing.
The use of AI avatars in court proceedings is still a relatively new and experimental concept, but it has the potential to revolutionize the way we approach justice and closure for victims of crime. By allowing victims to address their killers in a virtual or AI-driven format, courts can provide a sense of justice and closure that would not be possible through traditional means.
In Pelkey’s case, his AI avatar’s appearance in court served as a powerful reminder of the devastating consequences of road rage and the importance of prioritizing safety on our roads. The avatar’s words also highlighted the senseless nature of the crime, leaving many to wonder how something so tragic could have occurred.
As Pelkey’s avatar concluded its address, it delivered a final, poignant message to Jeremiah: “I hope you can find some peace, some redemption, and some closure. I know I never will.”
The outcome of Jeremiah’s trial is still pending, but the use of Pelkey’s AI avatar in court has already sent a powerful message about the importance of addressing the root causes of road rage and prioritizing safety on our roads.
