WATCH LIVE: Sentencing hearing begins for woman who killed man in wrong-way wreck on Florida’s Turnpike in Broward

BROWARD COUNTY, Fla. — Sunshine Perez, who pleaded guilty in a wrong-way wreck on Florida’s Turnpike that left a 23-year-old man dead, is expected to be sentenced Friday.

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Prior to her sentencing, Perez, who was sitting in a wheelchair while shackled on her hands and feet, delivered a statement in court.

“First and foremost, I would like to express my sincere condolences and apologies to Ezequiel’s family. This was a complete accident, your honor. I am not a person who does things like this on purpose. Ever since that accident happened and it took that young man’s life, all I can think about is how his mother must feel,” Perez said before breaking down in tears.

“I ask God to please forgive me because I have trouble forgiving myself because I cannot imagine how his mother feels,” Perez added as she tried to compose herself.

Some relatives of Ezequiel Urrutia cried in court as Perez delivered her statement.

Perez, 46, pleaded guilty to DUI manslaughter and vehicular homicide charges in March.

“She was at the courthouse pleading guilty to every charge, and in doing so I did see she was pretty shaken and understandably so,” the victim’s father, Frank Urrutia, told Local 10 News at the time. “We’re still devastated by the loss of our son. It’s something we’ve had to endure and figure out how to live our lives.”

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According to authorities, Perez was driving drunk and going the wrong way on the Turnpike near Red Road in Broward County on Jan. 9, 2025, before crashing into Ezequiel Urrutia’s vehicle, killing the young man known to his friends and loved ones as Zeke.

During her statement Friday, Perez acknowledged that she took medication prior to the crash.

Loved ones said Ezequiel had dreams of becoming a firefighter and was close to finishing his classes.

After Perez spoke in court Friday, friends and family of Ezequiel’s took to the stand to deliver their victim impact statements, including his girlfriend, who gave emotional testimony about how the loss of him changed her life forever.

“There is no sentence that will bring Zeke back or reduce the pain that we will carry for the rest of our lives,” Christina Diaz said. “But there is a sentence that can hold Sunshine Perez accountable for the choices she made and help prevent another family from living the same nightmare. Zeke deserves so much more than any he was given. He deserves to live a life that was stolen from him. He will always be remembered, deeply loved and missed. I choose to believe that a part of him is still with me. I see him in beautiful moments of everyday life and that is one thing that Sunshine Perez can never take away from me.”

Ezequiel’s family has turned their pain into purpose, creating a scholarship fund in their son’s name. They say they’re focused on helping others follow their son’s dream of serving others and making a difference.

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Perez faces up to 34 years in prison.