20 Year-Old Hit and Run Driver Sentenced in Florida

A 20 year-old woman who killed a chef in a drunk driving hit-and-run was sentenced last month in a south Florida court. The woman, who had been drinking at Nikki Beach nightclub in Miami, agreed to a plea bargain in the case where she was charged with DUI manslaughter, leaving the scene of an accident where a death occurred, DUI with property damage, and resisting an officer. She was sentenced to four years in jail, two years under house arrest, and 15 years of probation. The plea deal also resulted in a requirement to make a donation every year to MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) on the victim's birthday. The donation every year will be in the amount of the age the man would have been if he had not been killed.

The defendant and the nightclub still face separate civil lawsuits from the victim's wife and family. In the case of the nightclub, it faces charges of allowing the woman to get drunk as an underage drinker and then letting her drive home. The convicted woman had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) at the time of the incident which was three times the legal limit. Her victim was thrown 30 feet when she struck him and died at the scene. A witness followed the defendant when she fled the scene which led to her arrest.

According to state statistics, the Miami Dade area had more hit-and-runs in 2012 than any other part of Florida. It averaged 35 of these incidents on a daily basis.

Criminal Defense Attorney in Miami, Florida

Leaving the scene of an accident is a serious offense, especially when someone has been injured or killed. Leaving the scene in which someone has been injured is a third-degree felony in Florida. Leaving the scene where someone has died is a first-degree felony. A drunk driver convicted of leaving the scene where someone has died will face a minimum mandatory sentence of two years behind bars. A DUI resulting in an injury in Florida is charged as a third-degree felony. A DUI resulting in another's death is a second-degree felony with a minimum mandatory sentence of four years.

Anyone charged with DUI, leaving the scene of an accident, or DUI injury or manslaughter will need an experienced and competent defense attorney. You can find such an attorney at The Law Offices of Eric M. Matheny, P.A., serving Miami and all of south Florida. Mr. Matheny is a former Assistant State Attorney for Miami-Dade County with a reputation as a tough, dedicated, and always thoroughly-prepared trial lawyer. No matter what type of criminal charges you may be facing, whether DUI, drug offenses, theft crimes, violent crimes, white collar crimes, or others, you can rely on his attention to detail and aggressive approach. Contact his firm 24 hours a day to make an appointment to talk to him about your charges.