safety
Woman sentenced to 20 years after pleading guilty to deadly 2025 wrong-way DUI crash on Florida Turnpike
Summary by The Miami Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Matthew Garcia , WSVN 7 News
· July 24, 2026
· 3 min read
A woman who pled guilty to a killer crash learned her fate on Friday. It was an emotional morning at the Broward County courthouse in Fort Lauderdale, where one family said they are destroyed, and the woman accused of causing their pain, said she is haunted by what happened and knows her words can’t
Story provenance No corrections
Summary created by The Miami Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting Matthew Garcia, WSVN 7 News Original story Read at the source Source published Jul 24, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
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Key takeaway Forty-five-year-old Sunshine Perez, pled guilty to a driving under the influence manslaughter charge in connection to the death of 23-year-old old Zeke Urrutia.
Why this matters in The Miami
The sentencing of Sunshine Perez to 20 years for the deadly wrong-way DUI crash on the Florida Turnpike serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of driving under the influence in Miami-Dade County and surrounding areas. This tragic incident, which occurred in Miramar, resulted in the loss of a young life, Zeke Urrutia, a promising paramedic and Florida International University graduate who aspired to become a firefighter. The case highlights the need for continued vigilance and enforcement of DUI laws in South Florida, where the risk of accidents is already heightened due to the region's unique challenges, such as hurricane-related flooding and sea-level rise. As the community mourns the loss of Urrutia, it is crucial to recognize the importance of responsible driving practices and the severe penalties that come with reckless behavior, such as Perez's actions, which will have a lasting impact on the families and loved ones affected.
About this story
Original reporting by WSVN 7 News . The Miami surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WSVN 7 News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 24, 2026 ·
Source: WSVN 7 News ·
Reading time: 3 min
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A woman who pled guilty to a killer crash learned her fate on Friday. It was an emotional morning at the Broward County courthouse in Fort Lauderdale, where one family said they are destroyed, and the woman accused of causing their pain, said she is haunted by what happened and knows her words can’t
When was this published? This article was first published on July 24, 2026 by WSVN 7 News and curated for The Miami readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Matthew Garcia at WSVN 7 News. To learn more about how The Miami selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Miami, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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