At sentencing, driver apologizes to family of girlfriend killed in crash

A 17-year-old girl was killed in a car crash over two years ago. Monday, her family was in court to watch the driver – her ex-boyfriend – learn his fate.

April Chatman remembers the last day she saw her beautiful daughter Cordasha Hutchinson. 

"She walked past me and said, ‘Mom, I love you.' And I said, ‘I love you too.’ And she proceeded out the doo. And that was the last time I seen her alive," said Chatman.

An hour later, Cordasha would be dead.

Prosecutors say her then-17-year-old boyfriend, Dylan Pulanski, was speeding and lost control of his Suburban on a busy road in Plant City two and half years ago.

Cordasha died at the scene, 

"She's been gone. It has been hard for me but I've been keeping strong, keeping together for my other two children because I know I have to," said a tearful Chatman.

Dylan survived, but had to learn how to walk and talk again.  His attorney says he has no use of his left arm and head injuries left him with mental disabilities.  And things only got worse when he was charged vehicular homicide.

Facing 15 years behind bars, Dylan expressed remorse at his sentencing. "My heart is broken. I miss her and think of her every day. I wish I could take that day back, but I can't, and I'm disappointed in myself for letting anything bad happen to her.” 

Dylan also apologized to Cordasha's family, but her sister still wanted him to get jail time.

"I feel like the right thing just needs to be done. I just want justice served for my sister," Abrielle Walley said.

Hillsborough Judge Samantha Ward said it was a lose-lose situation for everyone involved and sentenced him to two years of house arrest followed by four years of probation.

Some of Cordasha's family sitting in the gallery appeared to shake their heads in disappointment.