Written By JR Robinson

When the call came on August 10, 2022, Memphis Fire Department veteran Driver David Pleasant did what he had done for 30 years—answered an emergency. But that night, tragedy struck when Maurice Yarbrough, reportedly driving under the influence, ran a red light and slammed into Pleasant’s fire truck. The collision killed the 59-year-old firefighter and injured two of his colleagues.

Now, three years later, the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office says a measure of justice has been reached.

After lengthy discussions and strong objections from the victim’s family and the firefighting community, Yarbrough has pleaded guilty and been sentenced to 12 years in prison. The outcome comes after the original eight-year plea offer drew widespread frustration among first responders who felt the punishment didn’t fit the devastating loss.

“Any killing is a tragedy, but particularly so when the victim is a first responder ready to risk his life to save others,” said District Attorney Steve Mulroy, announcing the updated plea agreement. “We believe this resolution strikes a good balance between accountability for reckless conduct and sparing the family the emotional toll of a trial.”

The new deal reflects the family’s push for accountability and the DA’s willingness to listen. Lead prosecutor Shannon Mason worked with Pleasant’s relatives and the injured firefighters to reach a resolution they could support, underscoring the office’s growing focus on victim-centered justice under Mulroy’s leadership.

The case has reverberated through Memphis’s tight-knit public safety community. Firefighters across the city called for a stronger stand on cases involving first responders killed in the line of duty, with many saying the outcome now provides a sense of closure and a message that lives lost in service will not be overlooked.

Pleasant, a respected firefighter remembered for his deep laugh and unwavering calm under pressure, had spent decades training younger fire crews and mentoring recruits. His colleagues describe him as the kind of firefighter who “never asked what the risk was—just what the next move needed to be.”

The plea brings a close to one of Shelby County’s most emotional criminal cases in recent memory—a case that tested how far the justice system will go to ensure that the lives of local heroes are honored not just in words but in action.

Key Facts:

• Defendant: Maurice Yarbrough

• Charges: Vehicular homicide (intoxication), vehicular assault, reckless aggravated assault

• Victims: Fire Driver David Pleasant (killed), two firefighters injured

• Original plea offer: 8 years

• Final sentence: 12 years, supported by the family and fire department

• Lead Prosecutor: Shannon Mason

• District Attorney: Steve Mulroy