Wrong-way Skyway 10k driver who crashed into trooper while under the influence sentenced
PALMETTO, Fla. - The woman accused of driving under the influence and almost crashing into runners during the Sunshine Skyway 10k race two years ago was sentenced to 10 years in prison Tuesday afternoon.
According to a filed sentencing memo, Kristen Watts' attorney, Bruce Denson, was asking the court to sentence her to eight months of jail she's already served and then probation. But, the judge sentenced her to 10 years in prison with time served as well as four years of probation.
Watts also seriously injured Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Toni Schuck.
READ: Woman accused of slamming into troopers protecting Skyway 10K runners wants felony charge dropped
FHP Trooper Toni Schuck
Schuck heard over her police radio that a driver, later identified as Watts, had driven through the barricades on the Skyway and was not stopping for other law enforcement officers. The trooper, who was about half a mile from the start of the annual Skyway 10k race, instinctively positioned her patrol car in the middle of the road, hoping to get Watts to stop.
That's when Schuck was forced to ram head-on into Watts' BMW, to prevent her from getting close to the nearly 8,000 runners participating.
In court, Schuck, who made a full recovery after the crash, recalled leaving the scene in an ambulance on March 6, 2022.
"As I was in the ambulance, the back of that ambulance they have the windows, and you could see the race participants still there," Schuck said. "Knowing what had just happened and then knowing that these people were on that bridge, they had no idea of the carnage that she created."
READ: FHP: DUI driver bypassed roadblocks, crashed into cruiser guarding Skyway 10K race Sunday morning
Watts was found to have a blood alcohol level three times over the legal limit and was arrested. Her defense attorney said around the time of the crash, Watts had been in a state of paranoia, was having hallucinations and was "totally disconnected from reality."
After the crash, she spent eight months in the Manatee County jail.
Her attorney argued for the lesser sentence, because she has no prior record and simply hit rock bottom in March 2022. Denson claimed she's since been proactive in turning her life around, and now wants to help others do the same.
Denson said after she was released from jail, she completed a rehab program and entered a sober living home. She also goes to regular AA meetings, volunteers with addiction advocacy organizations and is enrolled at St. Petersburg College where she’s continuing her education in addiction studies.
"She’s really taken what was a difficult mental health situation and gotten on top of it with the help of the state and doctors," Denson said. "What we are looking to do is put her in a position where she can act on her addictions study degree that she got. She’s been going to school [and] working hard, and she wants to take her experience and help people.
According to court documents, Denson said she's been sober for 760 days.
Watts’ loved ones also said she is now the house manager of her sober living home. In court, Watts’ mother said every single day now for her daughter has been purposeful.
"I know she’s capable of really contributing, and to be honest with you, I can’t say it any other way," Watts’ mother said. "I am convinced that she’s good now, and now I know that I don’t have to worry about her anymore. She’s got this."
Schuck shared a statement before sentencing on Tuesday.
"I am glad it was me, and that you weren’t able to hurt anyone else," Schuck said.
The trooper said the crash has impacted her physically, mentally and emotionally.
"You made decisions that day," Schuck said. "Decisions that affected not only yourself, but me."
Watts read a letter of apology to Trooper Schuck on Tuesday.
"I am horrified at the measures I took that day," Watts said. "I would never set out to harm anyone. I take my actions on the day of the accident extremely seriously and accept full responsibility."
"Please know that your selfless bravery on that fateful was not wasted on somebody who will not benefit from your heroism," Watts said. "I want my progress to make you proud. As I continue to assist those suffering from addiction, I seek to save at least one life, as I believe you saved mine."