When a member of the Disney family passes away, it’s not just their immediate family who feels the loss. The vast Disney community, which includes the cast members who make magic come alive, feels the impact deeply. These individuals, who dedicate their lives to creating unforgettable experiences for guests, often become as beloved as the characters they help portray.
So when tragedy strikes and a beloved cast member is taken too soon, it reverberates throughout the parks, and beyond.
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On November 13, 2022, Hannah Jacks and her father were killed when a drunk driver, Scott Bales, crossed the center line and struck their vehicle head-on. The collision occurred in Moreno Valley, California, about an hour away from Anaheim. Both Hannah, 19, and her father, Corporal Daniel Jacks Jr., were killed instantly in the crash, leaving a void in the lives of their family, friends, and the Disney community.
For the Jacks family, the pain of losing both Hannah, a Disneyland performer, and her father, Daniel, was unimaginable. Three years after the accident, justice has finally been served, though it can never truly heal the grief they carry. The driver responsible for the crash that claimed their lives has now been sentenced, marking a bittersweet moment in their ongoing journey through sorrow.
Scott Bales, who survived the crash, was found to have a blood alcohol level of .102, far exceeding California’s legal limit of .08.
Hannah brought joy to countless Disneyland visitors as a dancer in the beloved Christmas Fantasy Parade, where her talent and warmth lit up the holiday season. Off the parade route, she continued to inspire others as a deeply loved dance teacher at The Dancer’s Studio in Hemet, California, where she shared not just her skills but her heart.
The sentencing of Scott Bales was a long-awaited moment for the Jacks family, who have been waiting for nearly three years for justice to be served.
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According to reports, Bales, 47 at the time of the crash, pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree murder and three counts of driving under the influence of alcohol, causing great bodily injury.
A superior court judge sentenced Bales to two 15-year prison terms to be served consecutively. Sentences for the other counts will be served concurrently, so Bales will serve 30 years in state prison. He will be eligible for parole.
During the sentencing, it was revealed that this was Bales’ fifth conviction for driving under the influence.
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This tragedy has been particularly difficult for Denay Jacks, the mother who now raises Hannah’s brother, Brent, alone. As she explained in her victim impact statement, the loss of her daughter and husband has been unbearable, and the sentencing of Scott Bales was a pivotal moment for her family.
“It was very hard to look at (Bales). I don’t believe he shows remorse. He turned around at the end and said he was sorry, but that doesn’t mean anything,” Denay said. “We needed the finality of him being put away, not on the streets where he could do this to someone else. Because it was his fifth time, so it’s not an accident; his fifth time being caught with a DUI, and I was ready for it all to be done.”
Denay’s statement reflected the profound sadness and anger felt by the family. Despite the painful circumstances, the Jacks family has been determined to ensure that this tragedy did not go unnoticed, and that the driver’s repeated actions were held accountable.
Scott Bales will now serve his sentences consecutively, meaning that once he serves 15 years for killing Daniel Jacks, he will continue to serve another 15-year term for killing Hannah. While he will eventually be eligible for parole, the sentencing ensures that he will remain incarcerated for a significant portion of his life.
We continue to extend our deepest sympathies to the family and loved ones of Hannah and Daniel Jacks. While their hearts may never fully heal, we hope that this ruling brings some closure to this difficult and devastating chapter.
