VERO BEACH, Fla. — A woman driving under the influence who crashed into a couple at a Christmas parade in Vero Beach nearly four years ago will spend the next three years in prison.
Susan Harvey, who is now 76, agreed in August to plead no contest to DUI, leaving the scene of an accident involving injury and driving under the influence manslaughter.
Harvey crashed into John and Mary Berrigan on Dec. 4, 2021, along Ocean Drive as they were putting chairs into the trunk of their car following the parade.
Circuit Judge Robert Meadows found Harvey guilty on all charges.
Mary Berrigan died weeks after the crash.
During Tuesday's sentencing, John Berrigan had a friend read a victim impact statement on his behalf. However, Berrigan told WPTV reporter Jon Shainman outside the courtroom that his family has forgiven Harvey.
"I thought about it a long time and discussed it with my family, my two daughters, and a whole bunch of grandchildren," John Berrigan said. "We don't feel as though we should hold any animosity."
Harvey was also given 10 years of probation and had her driver's license permanently revoked.
