Dante Lawrence was sentenced to prison for hitting and killing Gavin Carter, and then leaving the scene on I-10 in May 2024.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The individual responsible for a fatal hit and run on I-10 in May 2024 has been sentenced to five years of imprisonment. On Thursday, 25-year-old Dante Lawrence received this sentence after admitting guilt to fleeing the scene of a fatal accident.
Lawrence was involved in the death of 23-year-old Gavin Carter in May 2024 as Carter was driving on Interstate 10 near McDuff Avenue. During the hearing, a Florida Highway Patrol trooper explained how Carter exited his vehicle on I-10 to assist another man involved in a prior crash that evening. Lawrence’s car struck both men, resulting in Carter’s death, and he departed before authorities arrived.
During the court proceedings, friends and family of Lawrence addressed the judge. They expressed Lawrence’s remorse and recounted his character.
“I just ask that you have mercy on my son. He’s a good boy, he’s a nice young man. He’s never done any wrong in his life,” said Heather Lawrence, Dante’s mother.
Lawrence also addressed the courtroom Thursday. For the first time, he apologized to Carter’s family and asked for mercy from the judge.
“I would like to ask the family of Gavin Carter for forgiveness and I ask that this court have mercy and allow me to return to my family as soon as possible,” Lawrence stated.
Carter’s family was visibly emotional during the proceedings. They presented impact statements to the judge, expressing how Lawrence’s decision to flee and delay coming forward had exacerbated their pain over the past 16 months. Victoria Forbes, Carter’s fiancée, was present in Carter’s car on the night of the crash.
“Gavin is the love of my life. He was my future and he has been ripped away from me by someone careless enough to leave me crying in the middle of the highway. I can never forgive someone like that,” Forbes said.
Lawrence was also emotional as he heard Carter’s family speak. His attorneys asked the judge for three years in prison, despite the minimum sentence being 21 months.
Judge Tatiana Salvador took time to express how difficult this case was for her to preside over since Lawrence does not have any prior convictions and is still young. She ultimately sentenced him to five years in prison.
“I have quite frankly agonized over this case probably more than others since the day you entered your plea and I started researching the case,” Salvador explained.
Following the five year prison sentence, Lawrence will be on probation for five years. During that time, the judge ordered Lawrence to complete 500 hours of community service and speak with students about driving safety.
First Coast News spoke with Carter’s family after the hearing. His mother, Dawn, said she was disappointed the prison sentence was not longer, but she is ready to properly grieve her son.
“Do I think in the grand scheme of things where the maximum sentence is 30 and he’s doing five, I think it sets a precedent for other people. I really do. I think maybe there should be some changes to some laws, but based on how the legal system works, I mean, she did what she was required to do in the eyes of the law, and I can’t be mad at her for it. Nothing brings Gavin back,” Dawn said.
