Drunk driver sentenced to 30 DAYS for wreck that killed parents of a young daughter

A Florida woman who accepted a plea agreement will spend 30 days in jail for a March 2017 crash that killed her two passengers.

WPLG reported that Judith Khouri, 55, had a blood alcohol level of .14 percent—nearly double the legal limit—when she ran a red light and collided with a car in Lauderhill, killing Benyamin Benyamin, 43, and his wife, Zafrit Ruvio Benyamin, 42. The Israeli immigrants were parents to a 6-year-old daughter.

The South Florida Sun Sentinel reported that the Benyamins died at the scene while Khori, a family friend, wasn’t injured. The two people in the other vehicle were also uninjured.

Authorities charged Khouri with misdemeanor DUI following the deadly 3 a.m. wreck. She ultimately accepted a plea agreement that, in addition to the 30-day jail sentence, meant she’ll serve 12 months’ probation and pay $1,000 in court costs.

Per the plea deal, Khouri’s driver’s license is also suspended for a year, she’s ordered to complete DUI school and 150 hours of community service, and she must speak to the youth about the risks of driving under the influence, according to WPLG.

The Broward State Attorney’s Office indicated prosecutors would have difficulty proving that Khouri’s drinking directly caused the Benyamins’ deaths, hence the plea deal.

Benyamin Benyamin’s sister, Yael Shababo, expressed outrage during Friday’s sentencing. Shababo said it was her brother’s birthday and Khouri, despite being drunk, offered to drive them home. Moreover, Zarfit’s sister previously told the Sun Sentinel that the couple had used a ride-hailing service to get to Benyamin’s birthday party.

“How couldn’t she have more responsibility?” Shababo asked the judge. “I think she should get more punishment about this.”

[Featured image: Judith Khouri/Handout; Zafrit and Benyamin Benyamin/WPLG]