MIAMI (WSVN) - A driver accused of driving under the influence when he was involved in a 2021 crash that left four people dead has accepted a plea deal that includes a prison sentence, but the victims’ families said it doesn’t take away the pain of their loss.
On Thursday, Alex Garcia, who was 16 years old at the time of the incident, appeared in court on Thursday to hear the terms of his plea deal. They involve serving 14 years in prison, followed by two years of house arrest and eight years of probation.
Garcia faced multiple charges in connection with the New Year’s Day crash, including four counts of vehicular homicide, four counts of DUI manslaughter and two counts of DUI with serious bodily injury.
He was held at the Juvenile Detention Center for 21 days before being transferred to Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center in West Miami-Dade for trial as an adult.
His trial followed an investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol and the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office
Despite losing his appeal for release from prison pending trial, Garcia remained incarcerated since February 2, 2023.
“This is what you did, you. Understand, this is what you did. This is what he did,” said FHP Corporal Christine Gracey in court as she showed pictures of the victims and their wrecked car.
The FHP expressed gratitude to Gracey and FHP’s Traffic Homicide Unit, as well as the Miami Dade State Attorney’s Office, in a media release on Thursday.
“[We] thank [them] for their swift and diligent work in this tragic case,” read the release in part. “We hope the sentence helps the families reach closure and sends a message to the community regarding the tragic consequences of driving under the influence and at extreme rates of speed.”
Garcia was going over 100 miles an hour at the time of the crash. The investigation revealed he was drunk and stoned when the SUV he was driving struck the victims’ car along West 79th Avenue, near West Flagler Street.
The chilling bodycam video captured Garcia moments after impact.
The crash took the lives of 21-year-old Yuhlia Gelats Barzaga, 22-year-old Christian Mohip, 21-year-old Andres Zacarias and 21-year-old Jenser Salazar.
“Christian’s face was unrecognizable. Yuhila’s body was left pinned under the passenger side of the vehicle,” said Gracey.
The loved ones listened, wiped their tears and shared their thoughts.
“First of January 21st, my only son’s heart stopped, and so did mine,” said Christian’s dad.
“Because of that day, we’ve never been the same. Nothing will be the same,” said Jenser’s sister.
Garcia remained silent stone as he listened to loved ones, including Zacarias’ sister.
“I do blame you, for the death of my brother,” she said.
Zacarias’ sister also took time to address another form of heartbreak.
“We have a grave, we clean it, we leave it beautiful. He is buried there with Jenser, up until not so long ago, when they started vandalizing that grave.”
A memorial that was placed at the crash site was vandalized, and a person involved posted the destruction on social media months after the incident.
The tombstones of the two victims were defaced back in March and June of this year. A roadside memorial was also vandalized in the past.
“Him nor his family have any connection to the vandalism. They condemn it; we’ve condemned it in past,” said Brian Kirlew, Garcia’s attorney.
Police are still attempting to determine whether these separate acts of vandalism could be connected and who is behind them.
Although Garcia reached a plea deal, the victims’ families told 7News that it doesn’t compare to their sentence: life without their loved ones.
“The only way I would feel satisfied is by having our kids back,” said the father of one of the victims.
“But you, you still won, because your sentence of 14 years and whatever else they added doesn’t compare to our sentence,” said Zacarias’ sister.
When asked why Garcia didn’t speak during his court appearance, Kirlew said it was a tactical decision, adding that the day was to let the victims’ families talk.
Garcia will also have to pay $100 on Jan. 1 each year to the victims’ compensation fund.
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