A young man will spend the next 15 years of his life in a Florida state prison because of a drag racing accident back in 2011 that killed 3 people.
A 22 year-old man, who was 19 at the time the offense was committed, was charged with reckless driving causing death and leaving the scene of an accident causing death when he allegedly engaged in a drag race with another vehicle.
Three people killed were passengers in the defendant’s car.
After being convicted at trial the defendant was sentenced to 15 years in prison per victim, which totaled 45 years. However, given the age of the defendant and giving him the opportunity to resume a life after his incarceration, the judge allowed the defendant to serve his sentences concurrently.
A concurrent sentence, as opposed to a consecutive sentence, means that the defendant will serve all three 15 year sentences at the same time.
Upon his release from prison, the defendant will be on 15 years of probation. During this probation period, he must complete 500 community service hours. He must also surrender his driver’s license for life.
Eric Matheny is a criminal defense attorney representing clients charged with reckless driving, leaving the scene of an accident, and other traffic-related felonies and misdemeanors in Miami-Dade County and Broward County.