CLAY COUNTY, Fla. – A woman was sentenced Thursday to 18 years in prison more than three years after she was the driver in a deadly DUI crash in Clay County that killed a beloved father and son.
Danielle Hernandez, 46, was arrested on two DUI manslaughter charges nearly a year after the single-car crash killed David Hardie Sr., 45, and his son David Hardie Jr., 19, near County Road 209 and Bayard Road on March 1, 2021.
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According to an arrest warrant, security video and receipts showed Hernandez and David Hardie Sr. drank two shots of whiskey and a White Claw before eating. Hernandez then drove with her teenage daughter and the father and son in her pick-up truck. Troopers said Hernandez was speeding, lost control and ran a stop sign before hitting a tree and utility pole. Hardie and Hardie Jr. were ejected and died. Hernandez’s daughter was also seriously injured but survived.
According to the warrant, there had been minimal or no braking leading up to the crash. Records revealed Hernandez had a blood-alcohol level of 0.177.
Hernandez was later arrested in December of 2021 on a different DUI charge in Duval County while she was out on bond on the previous crash.
Eight victim impact statements were presented Thursday including from David Hardie’s parents, sister and David Jr.’s mother. The common theme was Hernandez made bad choices that led to their deaths that have devastated the family.
John Hardie said his son and grandson “were inspiring young men,” and then said to Hernandez, “You took away future generations of my family.” He said she gave them a death sentence and his family a life sentence that will never go away, at the same time.
Hardie’s aunt Elizabeth Bill was more blunt, and accused Hernandez of murder, saying Hernandez “used her car in a fit of rage to kill,” even with her daughter in it.
Hardie’s mother Jane Basham said “she killed my boy that night,” and she’s been waiting in a dark place for three years for justice.
All the family members wore T-shirts with David and David Jr.’s photos on them with the words “Judgment Day” on the back.
Ten defense witnesses including Hernandez’s now 17-year-old daughter asked for mercy and a 15-year sentence, saying “I need my mom in my life.”
Hernandez’s son also pleaded for leniency, as did Hernandez’s mother.
A tearful Hernandez took the stand last and apologized to the family of the victims and said she made a “selfish” and “horrible” decision to drive drunk that night. She said she hoped David Hardie Sr. and David Hardie Jr. would forgive her in heaven.
She vowed to tell her story to other people so they wouldn’t have to go through what she has.
The Hardie family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Hernandez.
Hernandez was also sentenced to 12 years of probation following her release, $20,000 in fines and 200 hours of community service.