TAMPA, Fla. — A judge found a man guilty Thursday of the 2018 deaths of a mother and her daughter and sentenced him to more than two decades in prison.
The judge ruled Cameron Herrin, one of two men involved in the deadly 2018 Tampa street racing crash on Bayshore Boulevard, was guilty on two counts of vehicular homicide and sentenced him to nine years in Florida state prison for the first count and 15 years for the second count -- a total of 24 years to be served consecutively.
The judge also found him guilty on a misdemeanor racing charge but sentenced him to time served.
"There's really nothing that the court can do that's capable of fixing the harm that has been caused to the victims in this case," Hillsborough Circuit Judge Christopher Nash.
Herrin can appeal Nash's ruling and has 30 days to do so.
In a statement, State Attorney Andrew Warren said the decision would bring some closure to the family of the mother and daughter.
"This crime took two beautiful lives and left four families broken," Warren's statement read. "No sentence can repair that damage or bring back the lives lost, but we hope this outcome delivers some comfort and closure for Jessica’s and Lillia’s families."
Herrin and John Barrineau were charged in the Bayshore Boulevard crash that claimed the life of 24-year-old Jessica Reisinger and her 21-month-old daughter, Lillia, who she was pushing in a stroller when she was hit by Herrin's Ford Mustang.
"Initially when it first happened, you could've told me 80 years and I still would've said it wasn't enough," Jessica's husband David Raubenolt said. "Although this won't bring my wife back, I hope that this sentence will inspire younger folks to behave in a manner that is appropriate amongst our streets."
Both Herrin and Barrineau previously pleaded not guilty. Then, in December, Barrineau's newly negotiated plea agreement was approved by a judge.
Herrin pleaded guilty, too, but entered an "open plea," which put him at the mercy of the judge. This meant the court heard arguments from the prosecutors and the defense team, but the judge ultimately ruled on his fate -- as opposed to a jury.
In December, Barrineau pleaded guilty to two counts of vehicular homicide and a misdemeanor racing charge in exchange for six years in state prison, followed by 15 years of probation. The judge accepted the plea and detailed the terms of the agreement, which included waiving Barrineau's sentencing rights as a juvenile -- which he was at the time of the crash.
Barrineau's driver's license will be suspended for five years. He'll also be required to complete 200 hours of community service when he's released, including doing speaking engagements about the dangers of reckless driving if possible.
What other people are reading right now:
- Are some COVID-19 vaccines more effective than others?
- Florida Senate sets aside $3 million for Piney Point clean-up
- Police stepping up patrols in South St. Pete after gun violence grows
- CDC's new cruise guidelines could create conflict with Florida's 'no vaccine passports' order
- Derek Chauvin trial: George Floyd's possible drug use takes center stage
- Is blowback in Georgia delaying vote on similar election changes in Florida?
►Breaking news and weather alerts: Get the free 10 Tampa Bay app
►Stay In the Know! Sign up now for the Brightside Blend Newsletter