The substance abuse counselor convicted for hitting a passerby and driving with the dying man on her windshield received a sentence of 55 years to life in prison Thursday. Sherri Lynn Wilkins, 53, was emotional in court during her sentencing hearing for the charges of second-degree murder, driving under the influence and hit-and-run.
Wilkins drove from the substance abuse facility with a blood-alcohol level nearly twice the legal limit when she struck 31-year-old Phillip Moreno in November 2012. Wilkins drove 2 miles through the city of Torrance before other motorists flagged her down at a traffic light and kept her there until police arrived. Moreno later died at a local hospital.
In his explanation for the sentence, Superior Court Judge Henry Hall centered on the fact that this was not an unfortunate act but rather a “cruel murder.” Hall told the court that Wilkins demonstrated “an extraordinary callousness in fleeing the scene and trying to shake Mr. Moreno’s body off her car.” During a review of Wilkins rap sheet, the judge noted a series of drug-related crimes with a penchant for alcohol abuse.
Wilkins testified that she didn’t see Moreno coming- it was as if he “fell from the sky.” She admitted that she consumed three single-serving bottles of vodka and a can of Budweiser beer and Clamato before driving as a form of self-medication before an upcoming surgery.
Wilkins apologized to the family of Moreno for the first time since the accident saying “I am sorry for the pain I caused you. It hurt so many people.” Family members and a friend of Moreno rejected her apology.
“You made sure Phillip went without any goodbyes. I wish the same for you. As of today, you will no longer exist to society. You will be just a number,” Moreno’s niece, Alyssa Moreno told Wilkins.
Wilkins’ attorney, Deputy Public Defender Nan Whitfield, said she plans to appeal the sentence.
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