MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – A woman who pleaded guilty to DUI manslaughter earlier this month was sentenced Friday to 10 1/2 years in prison.
Police said Jessica Araujo, 26, sped through a red light April 21, 2016, in southwest Miami-Dade and crashed into Naji El-Kadi's car when he was only a few minutes away from home.
"I take full responsibility for everything I've done," Araujo said in court. 'I'm sorry for the pain that I've caused your family and I'm sorry for the pain that I've caused my family."
Police said Araujo's blood alcohol level was nearly three times the legal limit.
"She suffered from the disease of addiction and it progressed and, unfortunately, it led her to make a really bad decision. Jessica is not a bad person. She's a very good person," family friend Nancy Perez said.
Although legally married, El-Kadi, 48, was just days away from his wedding ceremony when he was killed.
His widow wiped away tears in the courtroom Friday as Araujo was sentenced.
She told Local 10 News that she was satisfied with the punishment.
Araujo faced between 10 ½ and 21 years in prison.