Florida man sentenced to 10 years for fatal 2022 car pursuit

A 19-year-old has been sentenced to 10 years in prison and 10 years of probation following a 2022 high-speed police pursuit that resulted in a fatal crash in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Jah’Kobe Bessent, who was 15 at the time of the incident, pleaded guilty to his role in the crash and fleeing the scene. The pursuit began after Bessent and another individual broke into a home to steal two vehicles. The chase ended in a collision that killed 35-year-old Maria Tellez-Valderrabano.

During the sentencing hearing, Bessent expressed remorse for his actions. The victim's children provided emotional testimony regarding the impact of their mother's death. In addition to his prison term, Bessent's driver's license will be revoked for 10 years.