Latest news with #vehicularhomicide
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Judge's blistering attack on woman who can't stop drink-driving after she kills AGAIN in SECOND fatal crash
A Florida judge delivered a blistering courtroom attack on a repeat drunk driver who killed her own cousin in a horror crash - her second fatal drink-driving conviction in seven years. Jennifer Carvajal, 28, has been sentenced to 67 years in prison for causing a crash that killed her own cousin and seriously injured two others in 2021. The Plant City, Florida, woman wept and buried her face as a judge delivered a scathing verdict that will keep her locked up until her late 70s, as reported by the Tampa Bay Times. The crash killed Pedro Carbajal and seriously injured two other people near Interstate 4. Judge G. Gregory Green said he struggled to comprehend how she could commit the same deadly crime twice in her lifetime. 'It is almost as if instead of taking every step to avoid putting yourself in that situation again, you took steps to ensure that it happened,' the Hillsborough Circuit judge told the repeat offender. 'And that is incomprehensible for this court,' he added. The first time Carvajal drove drunk and killed someone in 2014, she received just five years in prison. The second time, she got two-thirds of a century behind bars. Carvajal reportedly wept in court throughout the four-hour sentencing hearing -repeatedly apologizing to her dead cousin's devastated family. 'No matter how many sorrys I say to each of you, or even him, I could never forgive myself,' Carvajal said, as reported by the outlet. The court heard how Carvajal had a traumatic childhood, including sexual abuse by male relatives that only came to light when she was diagnosed with a sexually transmitted disease at age nine. She never received proper mental health treatment for what was later identified as post-traumatic stress disorder and depression. This led her to contemplate suicide and self-harm with broken glass. By age 11, she was already drinking beer and smoking weed at school as she desperately tried to cope with her psychological pain through alcohol abuse, her attorney told the court. Her own father was arrested when she was 11 for raping an older female relative and spent five years in prison before he was deported to Mexico, the Tampa Bay Times revealed. She was hospitalized for two suicide attempts, according to court records obtained by the outlet. 'Jennifer committed these acts because she's broken,' said Assistant Public Defender Nicole Engebretsen. 'She was a broken child that never healed.' Carvajal has a traumatic childhood, including sexual abuse by male relatives that only came to light when she was diagnosed with a sexually transmitted disease at age nine But prosecutors didn't show mercy for the repeat killer. 'Two people have lost their lives at the hands of Jennifer Carvajal,' Assistant State Attorney Dawn Hart told the cour5t. 'This community is not safe if Miss Carvajal is ever allowed back in society.' Carvajal was arrested on April 25, 2021, after an 111 mph police chase that led to a deadly crash. When the trooper tried to pull her over, Carvajal made a hard right turn that sent the Hyundai Elantra down an embankment before going airborne and hitting a concrete light pole and a palm tree. It then overturned in the parking lot of a car dealership. Carvajal's cousin Pedro Carbajal, 22, was killed when he was ejected from the back seat of the car. Pedro's girlfriend Lexcia Gonzalez, 20, was also ejected from the back seat and broke both of her legs. A front seat passenger, 19-year-old Grady Ramirez, had 'incapacitating' injuries. When asked by the trooper who was driving the car, Gonzalez pointed to Carvajal - who denied she was the driver. The car was registered to Gonzalez. Carvajal's first deadly crash happened around 6.30am on February 5, 2014, when she was speeding down Alexander Street at 55mph in a gold Lincoln Navigator with her headlights off. She tore through a red light and plowed into a black Toyota Echo. The Toyota was being driven by a newspaper deliveryman, 52-year-old Keith Allen Davis, and was smashed into a concrete divider. Carvajal, who was then 16 years old, told a bystander that she had just received her learner's permit and didn't have insurance, according to the Tampa Bay Times. 'I am sorry, it was my fault,' Carvajal said as Davis lay on the ground bleeding and unconscious. Davis was taken a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. Cops found an empty can of Four Loko, a cheap malt liquor favored by young partygoers, with an empty beer can and an empty bottle of Patron tequila, the outlet reported. Her blood content was measured at .13 - above the legal limit of .08. Carvajal pleaded no contest to charges of DUI manslaughter in an adult court and faced sentencing after she turned 18 years old.
CBS News
2 days ago
- General
- CBS News
President Trump says undocumented, unlicensed teen driver will be deported after deadly crash in Aurora
A teenager who was driving illegally and was in the country illegally when he struck and killed a young Colorado woman in Aurora is now in the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Kaitlyn Weaver John Weaver The driver, who was 15 years old at the time of the crash, pleaded guilty to a felony in the death of 24-year-old Kaitlyn Weaver. Investigators say he was doing 90 miles per hour in a 45 mile per hour zone when he plowed into her car. Weaver's parents spoke exclusively to Your Reporter Shaun Boyd after the 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office offered the teen a plea deal that included no jail time. The story went viral, prompting outrage. "I had people from New York, from Nevada and people up in the Pacific Northwest all hear about it," John Weaver said. "We've been shocked at how much love and support (there's been) all across the country." The prosecutor charged the teen with vehicular homicide -- which carries a maximum sentence of two years in youth corrections -- but offered him two years' probation and 100 hours of community service if he pleaded guilty. CBS "I do feel that the criminal justice system in this state let my daughter down and it certainly is going to do nothing to prevent it from happening again," said Weaver. He says the prosecutor in the case initially said there would be no plea deal then reversed course under new District Attorney Amy Padden. Assistant D.A. Ryan Brackley says the new administration had no direct involvement in the plea deal. Weaver thought the teen got away with murder until this week when he saw a social media post by ICE in Denver saying agents arrested the teen and his family. ICE says they are from Columbia and were in the country illegally. The post linked to the CBS Colorado story and said, "For the @DA18th justice is no jail time and probation... For ICE, justice is arrest and removal." President Donald Trump also posted about the arrest on social media, saying the family will be deported. Weaver isn't sure what his daughter would want for her killer. "I really struggle with that. She cared for everyone, and I mean everyone," he said. CBS Colorado's Shaun Boyd interviews John Weaver. CBS He says he used to think immigration issues were simply black and white situations. "And it's not, because when you're a recipient of these events it becomes all kinds of gray," Weaver said. Still, he says deportation is more justice than probation. "This was an appropriate outcome. The is the appropriate outcome. You come to this country, you commit crime, you need go back to your country," Weaver said. The arrests happened a week after Rep. Gabe Evans, a Republican who represents Colorado's 8th Congressional District, took the floor of the U.S. House and suggested the crash was related to sanctuary state policies. The teen and his family are now in a detention center in Texas. Weaver says he and his wife plan to give victim statements when the case is heard in immigration court. He also plans to push for changes in Colorado's criminal justice laws.
CBS News
3 days ago
- General
- CBS News
State trooper returns to witness stand in trial of Derrick Thompson, accused in crash that killed 5
State trooper to take witness stand in Derrick Thompson trial, and more headlines State trooper to take witness stand in Derrick Thompson trial, and more headlines State trooper to take witness stand in Derrick Thompson trial, and more headlines A Minnesota state trooper will return to the witness stand on Friday to face cross examination from the defense in the trial of Derrick Thompson, the son of a former Minnesota lawmaker charged in a deadly 2023 crash in Minneapolis that killed five young women. Thompson faces five counts of third-degree murder and 10 counts of criminal vehicular homicide in connection to the crash on June 16, 2023. Five friends died in the collision: Salma Abdikadir, 20; Sabiriin Ali, 17; Sahra Gesaade, 20; Sagal Hersi, 19; and Siham Odhowa, 19. On Thursday, the prosecution and defense laid the groundwork for the evidence they say jurors will hear and see, with prosecutors alleging Thompson drew the attention of trooper Andres Guerra on Interstate 35W by driving erratically and at dangerous speeds. Guerra testified on Thursday that he watched the rented SUV Thompson was allegedly driving weave in and out of traffic and lanes. Derrick Thompson HCSO According to court documents, Thompson allegedly cut across several lanes of traffic, exited on East Lake Street, blew through a red light and smashed into the victims' vehicle. In opening statements on Thursday, prosecutors say Thompson omitted guilt with his actions that day, as evidence will show he ran from the scene immediately following the crash. "The cause of these deaths, and the pain and the suffering that followed, is present here in this courtroom today, and his name is Derrick Thompson, and he is sitting right there and he is the defendant in this case," said prosecutor Joseph Paquette. Thompson's defense team, however, says it wasn't him behind the wheel — it was Thompson's brother, who hasn't been arrested or charged in connection to the case. They say they have evidence to back up their claim. "When the dust settles and smoke clears, you'll see multiple doors to this vehicle open," said defense attorney Tyler Bliss. "You will see DNA of multiple people in this car who are seen renting the vehicle 35 minutes before this occurs." WCCO has a camera inside the courtroom and will break down the key moments. This story will be updated.
CBS News
4 days ago
- General
- CBS News
Former Minnesota state trooper pleads not guilty in crash that killed Owatonna teen
A former Minnesota state trooper has pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from a crash that killed a teenage girl and injured five others. Prosecutors said Shane Roper was speeding in his Minnesota State Patrol squad car, lights inactive, when he hit a Ford Focus in an intersection in Rochester, Minnesota, on May 18, 2024. A third vehicle was also struck. Roper is charged with five counts of criminal vehicular operation and one count each of second-degree manslaughter, criminal vehicular homicide, reckless driving and careless driving. He entered not guilty pleas for all charges on Thursday. The crash killed 18-year-old Olivia Flores of Owatonna and hurt several others, including a "ride-along" in Roper's vehicle. He said he was trying to "close the gap" between himself and a driver he suspected of a traffic violation, according to court documents, and he was not aware of his speed. The state patrol initially placed Roper on administrative leave, then months later said there was "simply no justification" for his actions and fired him. State patrol documents showed four prior crashes on Roper's driving record due to "inattentive driving or excessive speed." After the crash, attorneys for Flores' family released a statement, saying in part, "It is heartbreaking and unacceptable to the Flores family that the State of Minnesota allowed Trooper Roper to be on the road in a Minnesota State Patrol squad car after knowing that he posed a clear danger to others." Note: The video above originally aired Sept. 11, 2024.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Tow truck driver in St. Pete crash that left mother, grandfather dead has checkered driving history
The Brief On Tuesday, St. Pete police arrested tow truck driver, George Phillip Aponte, for vehicular homicide. Mother, Shakesha Desence, and grandfather, Dilean Desence, were killed in the October crash. Aponte has been cited for careless driving three times and speeding another three times. ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The tow truck driver arrested in connection to a crash that took the lives of a mother and grandfather, critically injuring a 9-year-old, has a checkered driving history. The St. Petersburg Police Department said they arrested 45-year-old George Phillip Aponte on Tuesday. RELATED: Clearwater tow truck driver arrested months after crash that killed mother, grandfather The backstory On October 15th, 35-year-old Shakesha Desence, 72-year-old Dilean Desence, and 9-year-old Daylon Desence were leaving a dentist appointment when their SUV collided with Aponte's tow truck. The crash report states Aponte was traveling 60 miles per hour in a 35-mph zone and was on his phone. Shakesha and Dilean died from the impact of the crash. The 9-year-old boy was hospitalized for four months. Dig deeper FOX 13 learned that in the past five years, Aponte was issued at least six traffic citations. Three were for careless driving and there were another three for speeding. One of those infractions took place in January, after the deadly crash. Follow FOX 13 on YouTube Criminal Defense Attorney Anthony Rickman, who is not affiliated with this case, said this driving record won't bode well in court. "This defendant has a responsibility to drive responsibly, especially knowing that he potentially has these very serious criminal charges weighing on top of him," Rickman said. What they're saying In a statement given to FOX 13 on Wednesday, the family's attorney, Okoye Morgan, said in part: "While nothing can undo the pain they've endured, they believe this is an important step toward justice. They are grateful to law enforcement and the state attorney's office for their efforts in ensuring justice is served. The family continues to grieve, but this development brings a measure of peace as they move forward." READ: Bartow 'group home' where man was murdered was not licensed by state, being shut down In February, the 9-year-old's uncle, Deon Desence, said with a broken hip, the boy has a long road to recovery and some of his wounds may never heal. "My sister and my dad were my nephew's world," he said. "He's heartbroken. He misses his mother. He misses his papa. Sometimes he even says, 'Uncle Deon, I don't understand why God let me live and didn't let me go be with my mother and my papa." FOX 13 reached out to Aponte's attorney for a comment on his arrest but did not receive a response. The Source The information in this story was gathered by FOX 13's Jennifer Kveglis. WATCH FOX 13 NEWS: STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app:Apple |Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
