MARTIN COUNTY, Fla. — The Martin County woman who killed a cyclist on the 10-Cent Bridge in 2024 was sentenced on Friday.
Elise Elder, 25, was given just over 29 years in prison for the death of 67-year-old Martin Drummond in June 2024. She was sentenced to 17 years for fleeing the scene, and just over 12 years for DUI manslaughter, for a total of 29 years and one-and-a-half months, to be served consecutively.
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Elder was given one year probation and her license was revoked for life.
Florida Highway Patrol said Drummond was riding his bike east on A1A toward South Sewall's Point Road — in the bike lane — at approximately 6:45 a.m. the morning of the crash, when Elder's 2019 BMW 535I went into the bike lane and rear-ended the bicyclist. She then fled the scene and was arrested at her residence.
Investigators said Elder was driving drunk from Daytona Beach, and was over the legal limit at the time of her arrest.
Drummond, a well-known member of the Stuart community, was the publisher of a local magazine and known as a mentor and spiritual leader.
Elder, Drummond's family members take the stand
Elder took the stand to share her remorse with the Drummond family.
"I want to be accountable to myself and everyone in this room. I destroyed a family and life of an innocent human being, and I'm so sorry and regretful of that," she said.
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Lori Drummond, Martin's wife, remembers the love she and her husband shared.
“It was kind of an ongoing storybook romance. We were best friends, doing life together," she said.
Drummond's daughter, Jessica Cornett, shared the impact his death continues to have on her family.
"My children sleep in his clothes, and hope he will come to their dreams. My 7-year-old still cries for his papa when he is scared. Their grandfather will never sit in the stands of their games. applaud their performances, attend their graduations or stand beside them at their weddings," she said.
Drummond's daughter, Melissa Cooke, shared the impact his death has on her life.
"It broke something in me that I still don't think professional help can even begin to address," she said.
Lori Drummond said she forgives Elder.
"If he could come back, he would say to Elise Elder, that he's forgiven her, even as have I," she said.
