HIALEAH, FLA. (WSVN) - A Hialeah teen accused of a fatal crash that killed three women was sentenced to 15 years behind bars.
The verdict was given on Tuesday in a Miami courtroom.
Maykoll Santiesteban, 16, was also given 15 years of probation.
“The court sentence is count one 15 years in state prison. Consecutive to count one, count two which is a 15 year probationary sentence,” said Judge Christine Hernandez of the 11th Judicial Circuit of Florida.
Santiesteban pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including vehicular homicide, back in February.
Several family members of the defendant were seen embracing each others in tears once the sentencing decision was read.
Following the decision, the judge spoke directly to Santiesteban.
“I don’t think anyone here thinks that you intended for this to happen, but it still happened nonetheless. And it was your actions that day that changed the trajectory of their lives and their family’s lives,” said Hernandez.
Prosecutors said the teen took the keys to his father’s Nissan SUV and went for a joyride.
The tragic crash was caught on surveillance footage, where the white SUV being driven by the teen was seen speeding at over 83 miles per hour through a Hialeah neighborhood before T-boning a Toyota Corolla at the intersection of Southeast Fifth Avenue and Fourth Street.
Two women, 39-year-old Yarnia Garcia Hernandez and 71-year-old Gloria Hernandez, died at the scene.
Garcia Hernandez’s mother, 66-year-old Lilianna Hernandez, was transported to the hospital in critical condition before succumbing to her injuries.
In court Tuesday, played a deposition taken days after the crash.
“After the crash, what happened?” asked a man.
“Well, I got out of the car and went to the back seats,” Santiesteban said.
The teen expressed heartfelt words for the family of the three victims through a translator.
“I want to say I’m really, really sorry to all the people that surround those three women who were involved in the accident and whose lives I’ve taken,” he said.
After the decision was given, the victim’s family said Santiesteban’s family acted like he was the one who passed away and not their family.
“For his loved ones, it seemed like he was the one who passed, not our three beloved members. Not the three women we cherished and love and who will never see a future,” said Jocelyn Amanda Rivera.
The defendant’s attorney called the decision “disappointing.”
“I’m not going to lie, we’re disappointed, but at the same time, the judge sentenced him to 15 years less than she could have,” said attorney Steve Kotler.
Santiesteban will be 31 years old when he is released from state prison.
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