WEST PALM BEACH — Seated at the witness stand Tuesday, Balmont Thompson expressed remorse for his actions in the February 2023 crash that killed a 30-year-old nurse at Delray Medical Center and promised to learn from his mistake.
“I take full responsibility,” Thompson told the family of Youseline Pierre. “I know that it could have been avoided. …(There’s) no excuse for it. It was a mistake that I can’t take back, and I know I can’t bring her back.”
Circuit Judge Cymonie Rowe sentenced Thompson to eight years in prison after he pleaded guilty to DUI manslaughter and vehicular homicide, among other charges.
Rowe imposed the sentence after hearing testimony from Thompson, his relatives and members of Pierre’s family at the Palm Beach County Courthouse. She rejected a defense motion for Thompson to receive the minimum sentence of four years, saying he made a conscious decision to drive while impaired.