CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. -- The Florida woman responsible for a wrong-way crash that killed two people has been sentenced to 24 years in prison. Kayla Mendoza tweeted that she was "2 drunk 2 care" before the fatal crash. There was anger in the courtroom during the emotional sentencing hearing.
"How do you forgive someone who ruined your life and your family's lives forever," said Dustin Catronio, one victim’s brother.
"You took everything I worked so hard to keep safe and protected and destroyed it in one second,” said Christine Ferrante, one victim’s mother. “Careless second, you destroyed it all."
"I want her back," said Gary Catronio, the father of one of the victims.
The families of Marisa Catronio and Kaitlyn Ferrante directed their anger at the self-described "Pothead Princess" Kayla Mendoza at her sentencing hearing on Monday. Mendoza tweeted "2 drunk 2 care" then, hours later, drove drunk the wrong way at high speeds on the Sawgrass Expressway in November 2013, killing both Catronio and Ferrante.
"Drinking and driving is not an accident,” said Ashley Ferrante, sister of victim Kaitlyn Ferrante. “No one accidentally does it. It's a reckless and careless mistake."
The families of the victims told Mendoza her actions meant that these two young women would never start careers, get married, or have children.
"I so wanted that first dance at her wedding, which I'll never have," said Gary Catronio, one victim's father.
And they are left with pain that no parent should endure. Natalie Catronio, Marisa's mother, wrote a letter that a family member read in court. She mentioned her visits to Marisa's grave.
"It kills me when I have to leave her because I can just imagine her screaming after me, 'mom please don't leave me here' and always I turn back to blow her a kiss and tell her how sorry I am that I couldn't protect her that night," said Andria Catronio Hill, one victim's aunt.
Mendoza wept too and apologized for her actions.
"No matter how much time passes, I'm gonna live with that in my heart everyday,” said Natalie Mendoza. “That I took their life."
Mendoza asked for mercy and a lighter sentence, but the judge refused, sending her away for 24 years. The victims' families called the punishment fair.
"It doesn't put behind what we go through on a daily basis for what we lost that can't be replaced," said Gary Catronio.
"No sentencing or anything would ever bring my daughter or Marisa back but we are pleased with what the judge handed down to her," said Christine Ferrante.
Under state law in Florida, Mendoza will not walk free until she is in her early 40's.
