Florida Woman Sentenced in Deadly 'Peace Walker' Hit-and-Run Case

Sentencing in the 'Peace Walker' Hit-and-Run

• 📌 Terresa Zepy was sentenced to 364 days in county jail and five years of probation for a 2020 hit-and-run that killed Joseph Drusa Senior.
• 💔 Drusa, known as the "Peace Walker" in his Bradenton neighborhood, lost his life in the crash.
• ⚖️ A Manatee County judge acknowledged the case was not a homicide, emphasizing the difficulty in delivering justice.

Defense and Prosecution Arguments

• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The defense presented mitigating factors, including Zepy's struggles with cancer and emotional/mental disorders, arguing for a downward departure from the standard sentence.
• 📈 Friends and family testified to Zepy's dedication to her family, suggesting the incident was out of character.
• 😥 The prosecution highlighted the disparity: Zepy will see her children's future, while Drusa's family will miss future milestones.

Sentence Details and Requirements

• 🚗 Zepy's driver's license will be suspended for five years.
• 🏥 Upon completing her jail sentence, she will transfer to a residential program for individuals with mental health challenges.
• 🤝 Zepy is required to complete 120 hours of community service in a hospital setting and pay restitution to the Drusa family.
• 🚫 The state had requested a 15-year sentence, but the judge opted for the jail time and probation.