A teen who was allegedly speeding and joyriding in his parents’ car when he struck an SUV in Hialeah last year, killing three women, had pleaded guilty in the crash.
A teen who was allegedly speeding and joyriding in his parents' car when he struck an SUV in Hialeah last year, killing three women, has pleaded guilty in the crash.
Wearing a brown jail jumpsuit because of his age, Maykoll Santiesteban appeared in court Friday to plead guilty in the April 23, 2024 crash.
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Santiesteban, now 16, was just 15 at the time of the crash but is being charged as an adult.
Prosecutors were against a plea deal in the case, so Santiesteban and his attorney decided to plead guilty and leave it in the judge's hands.
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He now could face decades in prison. The judge said she'll look at the case and could reach a sentencing decision at the end of March.
With his parents in the gallery, Santiesteban spoke quietly as he acknowledged the implications of pleading guilty.
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"In total you are facing 65 years as charged, do you understand that?" the judge asked.
"Yes," he replied.
Defense attorneys said they're hoping for a significantly shorter sentence.
"He could go to prison for up to six years. He would be treated as a juvenile, as a youthful offender. The judge could also pattern a combination of prison, house arrest, probation, anything combining up to six years," attorney Scott Kotler said.
Hialeah Police officials said the teen had taken his parents' car out for a ride with friends when he crashed into another car at an intersection in the 400 block of Southeast 5th Street.
Inside the other car were a mother, her daughter, and an aunt who had gone out to buy food.
Yarina Garcia Hernandez, 39, and her aunt, Gloria Hernandez Molina, who was 71, were killed the day of the crash.
Garcia Hernandez's mother and Hernandez Molina's sister, 66-year-old Liliana Hernandez Molina, was severely injured and died after spending five months fighting for her life.
Surveillance videos throughout the neighborhood caught the fast-moving SUV zooming by. Police said Santiesteban was going over 80 mph in a 30 mph zone.
Santiesteban was arrested on vehicular homicide and other charges and has remained behind bars. He pleaded not guilty last year.
Friday was an emotional day for the victims' family members. Bob Garcia, who lost his wife, daughter and sister-in-law, said nothing will bring back his family but he's putting his faith in the judge to choose the right sentence.
"I can't kiss my wife, I can't hug them, we can't celebrate Christmas," Garcia said in Spanish. "Nothing will repay what I lost."
Osmeide Rodriguez, whose mother was among the three family members he lost, said at times it's hard because while he recognizes the teen's age, he believes he should be punished for his adult actions.
