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Driver Who Killed Miami Fury Player Sentenced

Judge Sentences Man Who Caused Fatal Hit-And-Run To More Years Than Prosecution Recommended

POSTED: Wednesday, June 25, 2008

A driver convicted of causing a deadly hit-and-run crash on Interstate 95 three years ago received a stiffer sentence than expected Wednesday.

Mark David Ivey, 46, was sentenced to 22 years in prison Tuesday, two more years than prosecutors had recommended.

"You made no effort whatsoever to accept any responsibility for what had occurred at your hands," said Judge Marisa Tinkler-Mendez as Ivey stood and listened. "You wanted to get out of there and you wanted to go home."

Early one weekend morning in November 2005, Ivey was weaving northbound through light traffic on I-95 near 135th Street when he clipped a car driven by 25-year-old Laquinta Brunson, a promising athlete who played for the Miami Fury football team.

Ivey kept driving on a busted tire and caused a chain-reaction crash. Another driver followed him until Ivey stopped.

"Thank God she can rest in peace and I can go on with my life," said Brunson's mother, Reva Brown. "But she'll always be in my heart."

Reading a statement in court, Ivey apologized for causing Brunson's death.

"I just want you to know that I feel terrible, absolutely horrible," said Ivey.

An extended family hugged and cried after the sentencing.

"He had no remorse," said Brunson's aunt, Geraldine Andre Fambro Buckley, outside the courtroom. "He smiled during the whole trial. He never ever, ever -- I mean, he never showed any care."

Prosecutors had recommended a sentence of 20 years, citing Ivey's otherwise clean record and some of his medical issues. But in a surprising move, the judge decided on 22 years -- the same number Brunson wore on her jersey -- citing his self-serving behavior.

"But for that one citizen coming forward, Mr. Ivey would've gotten away," said prosecutor Christopher Angell.
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