The family of a mother of three who was killed in a 2022 crash in Oakland Park says they are hoping to finally receive justice and closure as the teenager responsible prepares to be sentenced.
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Jah Kobe Bessent was 15 years old at the time of the crash and was charged as an adult. He is now 19.
Bessent pleaded guilty in April to killing Maria Tellez-Valderrabano in a crash that happened while police were chasing him because he had stolen a car.
Maria’s sister, Emily Féria, said she has spent nearly four years attending court hearings and seeking justice for Maria and her children.
“I’ve been patiently waiting for the past almost four years,” Féria said. “I’ve been the one going to court all the time, just trying to get some justice for my sister and justice for her kids.”
Féria said the vehicles were traveling at an extremely high rate of speed before the crash.
“They were going 180 miles an hour on a road of 35, 40,” she said.
Maria left behind three children, who Féria said continue to struggle with the loss of their mother.
“They’re hanging in there. They’re tough, you know,” she said. “But they miss the mom, like graduation, and even if they was in school, teacher’s meeting, all that. They miss the mom.”
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Féria said Bessent had previous encounters with police and should not have been allowed to drive before the deadly crash.
“This kid, it was not the first event they had. It was not the first round with the police,” she said. “This one specifically had 19 charges prior to my sister’s kill.”
Féria said she has relied on her faith to manage her grief and emotions.
“It’s been tough by just praying,” she said. “I always pray to her. Every day, that picture’s always in my room. I pray to her and I say, just give me the strength that I need for your kids.”
Féria plans to speak during Bessent’s sentencing. She has already told the judge how she feels but may also have an opportunity to address Bessent directly.
“You took someone from us, someone precious from us,” she said. “I don’t want to be a hateful person. But at the same time, it’s like, I wish you rot in hell.”
Féria said Bessent was allowed to attend his mother’s funeral while he was in jail, while Maria’s mother was unable to enter the country to see her daughter one last time.
Féria believes Bessent should receive at least 30 years in prison.
Sentencing is scheduled for Thursday and Friday, when a judge will decide how much time Bessent will serve.
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