News Summary
Dante Lawrence of Jacksonville has been sentenced to five years in prison after a hit-and-run incident that led to the death of 23-year-old Gavin Carter. The tragic event occurred on Interstate 10 when Carter was helping another person involved in a crash. Lawrence fled the scene, prompting emotional reactions from Carter’s family, who criticized the leniency of the sentence and seek legal reforms for similar crimes. Lawrence will serve five years in prison followed by probation and community service to promote safer driving practices.
Jacksonville Man Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Deadly Hit-and-Run that Killed 23-Year-Old Gavin Carter
A 25-year-old Jacksonville man, Dante Lawrence, has been sentenced to five years in prison for a fatal hit-and-run incident that resulted in the death of 23-year-old Gavin Carter. The incident occurred in May 2024 on Interstate 10 near McDuff Avenue, where Lawrence struck Carter as he was assisting another individual involved in a prior crash.
After hitting Carter, who had exited his car to provide help, Lawrence fled the scene and did not wait for law enforcement to arrive. The Florida Highway Patrol provided testimony during the sentencing, detailing the events that led up to the crash.
During the proceedings, Lawrence’s friends and family pleaded with the judge for leniency, noting that he has never committed any crimes before and is genuinely remorseful for his actions. In a public apology during the hearing, Lawrence asked for forgiveness from Carter’s family.
However, the emotional toll on Carter’s family was evident as they expressed their anguish about the incident. Carter’s fiancée, Victoria Forbes, conveyed devastating feelings about the impact of Lawrence’s actions on her life, stating she finds it impossible to forgive him. Gavin Carter’s mother, Dawn, expressed disappointment at the sentence handed down, calling for changes to legal practices regarding hit-and-run crimes.
Lawrence’s defense team argued for a three-year sentence, even though the minimum for fleeing the scene of a crash resulting in death is defined as 21 months. Judge Tatiana Salvador, acknowledging Lawrence’s young age and lack of previous convictions, struggled with the sentencing but ultimately decided on five years, as she felt that a more serious penalty was warranted given the circumstances.
Following the prison term, Lawrence will be placed on probation for five years. His probation conditions include the completion of 500 hours of community service and participation in educational programs focused on driving safety. These measures aim not only to hold Lawrence accountable but also to encourage better decision-making among motorists in the future.
Carter’s family hopes that their tragic experience will serve as a reminder to motorists about the importance of stopping at accident scenes. They advocate for potential legal reforms that would hold drivers more accountable for similar incidents, underlining the devastating effects such actions can have on victims and their families.
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Author: STAFF HERE JACKSONVILLE WRITER
The JACKSONVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREJacksonville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Jacksonville, Duval County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, Riverside Arts Market, and World of Nations Celebration. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce and JAXUSA Partnership, plus leading businesses in logistics, healthcare, and entertainment that power the local economy such as CSX Corporation, Baptist Health, and VyStar Credit Union. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
