Woman Sentenced to Five Years in Prison

PHOENIX – A woman was sentenced to five years in prison and seven years of probation on October 27 after being found guilty of manslaughter for a deadly hit and run in Goodyear, Arizona.

On Jan. 14 of this year, Victim Thomas Stenoien and his 11-year-old dog, Judge, were walking through the area of North Bullard avenue and West Catalina drive when defendant Joy Joyner struck the victim and his dog with her car.

According to witnesses, the victim was crossing the street when he was struck by Joyner, flew up into the air, and was unconscious on the ground. Stenoien’s dog, Judge, died upon impact.

Stenoien was eventually pronounced dead at the scene after medical assistance was attempted, and Joyner fled the scene in a Silver Toyota Prius to the parking lot of a nearby Walmart.

Surveillance video from a nearby business shows the vehicle pulling into the parking lot, an individual exiting the vehicle, entering the Walmart, and exiting shortly after. The individual was then observed getting into an unknown black sedan and fleeing the area, leaving the Prius in the lot.

According to arrest reports, Joyner spent several days hiding in her boyfriend Jalen’s apartment where she was eventually arrested by police.

Upon Joyner’s arrest, Jalen stated Joy called him right after the crash occurred and stated she was taking an Uber over to his apartment. Joy was picked up by the Uber from Walmart in a black car, consistent with surveillance video.

Joyner pleaded guilty to manslaughter and leaving the scene of a fatal injury accident.

Stenoien was 71 years old and lived in both Goodyear, Arizona, and Crosslake, Minnesota. Thomas was the Chief Operations Officer at Stratasys, a company that manufactures 3D printers, software, and materials for polymer additive manufacturing.

Stenoien’s widow, Mary Jo Stenoien, was one of nine individuals in the victim’s family who made impact statements in court before Joyner’s sentencing.

“I never in my wildest imagination thought as Tom and Judge walked out the door for the walk they did every morning it would be the last time that I would ever see them. I miss them so much. In the past, when I had a difficult decision to make, I asked Tom for his advice. He was a wise man, and I always trusted him to help. He was my guide through many of life’s difficult decisions.

“Tom would want you to know how frightened he was when he saw you speeding towards him and realized he and Judge were in danger. He would not understand how a person could run and hide and leave him and our little friend Judge bleeding and dying on the side of the road. He would want you to know how much he loved his life. He would share that he and I were busy planning the event that we would have to celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary on October 20th of this year. This will never happen, though, because you killed him,” Mary Jo said.

Right before sentencing, Joyner spoke in court and apologized for her actions.

Tom is survived by his wife, Mary Jo; his three sons, Matthew, Michael, and David; his five grandchildren (Mallori, Nicolas, Keira, Aubrey, and Ella); and several loving friends.