TAMPA, Fla. (KHN) – The driver in a 2021 incident that killed her cousin in Hillsborough County faces decades in jail after pleading guilty to ten criminal charges, including DUI manslaughter, skipping a trial that was scheduled to begin Monday.
In April 2021, a Florida Highway Patrol officer observed Jennifer Carvajal driving at 111 mph on I-4 in Plant City. As the sergeant came around to pull her over, FHP said that her car veered to the right, went airborne, and smashed into a car dealership.
According to officials, the crash killed Carvajal’s 22-year-old cousin and fractured both of his girlfriend’s legs.
Carvajal, 24, was on probation at the time of the crash. In 2014, she was sentenced to prison for driving drunk, running a red light, and murdering a Plant City man.
Last Monday, prosecutors offered Carvajal a plea deal that included a 50-year prison sentence. She countered with 25 years, which the state denied.
On Monday, however, Carvajal submitted an open plea rather than facing a jury trial. She pleaded guilty to these charges:
- DUI manslaughter.
- Vehicular homicide
- DUI with serious bodily injury (three counts)
- Reckless driving results in serious bodily injury.
- Driving with a suspended or revoked license. Second DUI conviction.
- DUI involving property damage or personal injury (two charges)
Carvajal faces 31 years to life in prison. Sentencing is planned for May 30.
Reference: Woman pleads guilty in deadly DUI crash that killed cousin in Hillsborough County