MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — The woman who drove toward thousands of runners before crashing into a Florida state trooper during the Skyway 10K race in 2022 pleaded guilty to her crimes on Tuesday.
A Manatee County judge sentenced 54-year-old Kristen Watts to ten years in prison followed by four years of probation. During her probation, Watts will be subject to substance abuse and mental health evaluations, including three Alcoholics Anonymous meetings per week. Her drivers license will also be suspended for five years.
As part of a plea agreement, several DUI and reckless driving charges against Watts were dropped – leaving one count of fleeing and attempting to elude police officers and one count of DUI.
Ahead of Tuesday's court hearing, lawyers for Watts submitted a sentencing memorandum, requesting the court be lenient and sentence her to eight months in jail for time she's already served. Her 10-year sentencing includes credit for time served, according to the judge.
“I never hurt anybody in my entire life until what happened that day and it’s not even in my nature to do it," Watts said when she took the stand. "That day to me is such an aberration and such an awful part of my story.”
“As long as I just keep going with my medication and stay clean and sober – me in the right frame is not an individual who hurts people," she continued.
Dash camera video caught the moment Watts sped toward the Skyway 10K route before Trooper Toni Schuck made the quick decision to drive her patrol car into Watts' path, stopping Watts from potentially injuring thousands of runners.
Warning: The video below showing the head-on crash may be disturbing for some viewers.
Schuck took the stand on Tuesday for the portion of sentencing that involved testimony and statements from victims.
“It was a very intense crash. Not only is it the impact or the speed, you have the airbags going off, you’re also rattled and dazed. It was a significant hit as well," Schuck said during her testimony.
A letter that Watts wrote to Schuck was read in court.
"I want to offer my heartfelt apology for putting you through what must’ve been a frightening and traumatic experience both mentally and physically," Watts' letter said, in part. "Your protective instincts and split second decision altered the course of history not only for the public, but for me as well. I am deeply grateful for your heroic actions on March 6, 2022, which I believe saved my life. You gave me a chance to break the chains of addiction and go on to help others find the assistance they need to recover."
Watts, who has no previous criminal record, was subsequently taken into custody. The arrest report stated she had a blood alcohol level of .217 – more than three times the legal drinking limit.
Recently filed court documents indicated Watts' request for a reduced sentence had to do with her progress with mental health and substance abuse treatment. Her lawyers wrote that since her arrest, she has been sober. The filings said she completed a recovery program and has been able to maintain her mental health and sobriety. Watts plans to pursue a chemical dependency counselor license, according to the documents.