JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – In Duval County, a jury awarded a family $10.3 million in damages to the parents of a 21-year-old woman who was killed in a crash.
Nell Marie Behr was killed by a drunk driver after a crash on Jan. 14, 2023.
According to the State Attorney’s Office, Behr had graduated from Florida State College at Jacksonville just nine days before she died.
Florida Highway Patrol responded to a two-car crash on I-295 near Monument Road. The SAO said Ramon Cerda was heading home from a Jacksonville bar when he crashed into Behr.
Reports said he was driving on the wrong side of the road at the time.
A press release from the State Attorney’s Office states, “Cerda was taken to the hospital for his injuries, and while there, investigators noticed his bloodshot eyes, alcohol on his breath, and slurred speech. Cerda also told officers he had been drinking before the crash. Florida Highway Patrol drew a sample of Cerda’s blood, and he was found to have a blood alcohol level of .128.”
Almost a year later, in January 2024, Cerda pleaded guilty to DUI manslaughter and reckless driving in the death of Behr.
He was then sentenced to 12 years in prison.
In a separate civil trial, just this week, a jury awarded $5 million to each of Behr’s parents and another $300,000 for medical and funeral expenses.
The verdict against Cerda came out to a total of $10.3 million for compensatory damages.
A separate jury will consider punitive damages. News4JAX was told that process will start next week.
