Teen Lamborghini Driver Gets Juvenile Camp for Car Crash that Killed Monique Munoz

Teen Lamborghini Driver Gets Juvenile Camp for Car Crash that Killed Monique Munoz

Oct 25, 2021

A teenage Lamborghini SUV driver who caused a high-speed crash that killed a 32-year-old woman in February was sentenced on Thursday. The fatal car accident led to numerous protests from the victim’s family and supporters alleging the teenager – son of high-profile millionaire James Khuri – received special treatment by authorities.

The teen driver, whose name was not released because of his age, had previously admitted to felony vehicular manslaughter in April. Juvenile Court Judge Sabina A. Helton handed down the sentence during a disposition hearing at the Inglewood Courthouse. The teen driver was sentenced to nine months in what local ABC 7 reported was a “rigorous juvenile camp” as well as four years of probation.

The teenager was determined to be street racing by authorities when the fatal crash occurred on February 17 near Olympic Boulevard and Overland Avenue. The Lamborghini SUV was traveling at speeds of more than 100 miles per hour when it struck Monique Munoz’s Lexus, nearly splitting the vehicle in half and killing her at the scene.

When the hearing began last Wednesday, Deputy District Attorney Kelly Kraetsch asked Judge Helton to sentence the teen to a juvenile camp. The defendant’s defense attorney, Mark Werksman, requested that his client be placed in a private program.

The Los Angeles Times reported that Thursday’s sentencing drew demonstrations outside the Inglewood Juvenile Court building from Munoz’s friends and family. Supporters of the victim said the teen should spend time in a county juvenile camp for the fatal crash, arguing that probation would be an injustice, according to the L.A. Times.

“House arrest in a mansion is not punishment,” Cynthia Crespin, one of Munoz’s cousins, said in court last week. “He took an innocent life in a careless and senseless way.”

Another cousin of Munoz, Shawna Rodriguez, told Judge Helton that the teenager “deserves the maximum sentence.'”

Shortly after the February crash, Munoz’s uncle, Richard Cartier, said, “I’m looking for this kid to actually get what he deserves.” “He murdered my niece and he had no remorse for any life of any kind and he showed it.”

The Los Angeles Times confirmed that the teenage driver’s father, James Khuri, is “a multimillionaire who owns several real estate firms and an e-commerce business.”

Khuri had spoken out about the fatal car crash involving his son earlier this year via Instagram. As we noted in an earlier blog, James Khuri had also previously posted pictures to social media with him and his son next to their respective Lamborghinis. One such post included the caption, “My son and I hanging out cruising in the Hills. Everyone knows who’s [sic] car is faster.” In another post, Khuri wrote, “Fun Friday afternoon racing another Lamborghini SVJ on Sunset. Of course going speed limit.”

The Los Angeles Times reported that the teenager had been cited twice for driving at excessive speeds prior to the fatal crash that killed Monique Munoz. His driver’s license was suspended at the time of the February incident. Additionally, the L.A. Times confirmed that Los Angeles Police Department officials testified that the teen had posted on social media about engaging in “drifting” and other street racing activity in the weeks prior to the fatal car crash.

Judge Helton noted the teenage driver’s history of reckless driving, stating that there had been a “consistent lack of accountability” in his life, according to a Los Angeles Times report. Additionally, the judge noted at sentencing that the teen’s parents had actually paid to have his Lamborghini taken out of impound in the weeks leading up to the fatal crash. As the Los Angeles Times reported, Judge Helton questioned whether or not the teen’s parents “could provide the kind of oversight needed to correct his past behavior.”

“[The driver] needs to be held accountable the same as any other kid who appears in this court,” Judge Helton said.

Before the nine-month juvenile camp sentence was issued, Munoz’s relatives spoke in the courtroom and asked the judge to hand down the maximum penalty. Munoz’s mother, Carol Cardona, issued a tearful appeal.

“I’m going to ask the court that we get justice for my daughter; she deserves that much,” Cardona said. “My life is not the same, nor will it ever be.“

If he had been convicted of vehicular manslaughter as an adult, the teen driver could have faced a maximum sentence of six years in state prison.

The teen apologized to Munoz’s family before the sentencing. “Please know that I am so deeply sorry from the bottom of my heart,” he said while visibly emotional.

“I realize my suffering does not even come close to what you have gone through,” he added. “I was a spoiled, reckless 17-year-old who thought I was invincible.”

Despite being sentenced to the maximum penalty possible through Juvenile Court, some of Munoz’s family members stated that they did not believe the teen’s apology was sincere and, as the Los Angeles Times reported, he should have been tried as an adult.

“I call it the lollipop sentence and going to Camp Snoopy,” said Munoz’s uncle, Richard Cartier. Cartier also told reporters he believed the teen should have received a sentence of “50 years so he’ll never drive again and he’ll understand the consequences of what he’s done.‘”

Recovering Financial Compensation After a Car Accident

If you’ve been injured in a car accident as a result of another driver’s negligence or carelessness, you could be eligible to recover substantial financial compensation for various types of damages. Furthermore, surviving family members of a victim killed in a car accident may be able to file a wrongful death claim.

Some common damages that may be recoverable in a personal injury car accident claim include:

Economic Damages:

• Hospital and medical bills
• Physical therapy costs
• Rehabilitation costs
• Lost wages
• Lost earning capacity

Non-Economic Damages:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional trauma
• Psychological distress
• Reduced quality of life

Some common damages that may be recoverable in a wrongful death claim include:

Economic Damages:

• The financial support the deceased would have contributed to the family during their lifetime
• The loss of gifts or benefits the heirs could have expected to receive from the deceased
• Funeral and burial expenses
• The reasonable value of household services the deceased would have provided
• Medical bills and other expenses incurred
• Value of lost benefits, such as the decedent’s pension or health insurance

Non-Economic Damages:

• Compensation for the loss of the deceased’s companionship and support
• Protection
• Affection
• Moral support
• Training and guidance
• Sexual relations

Having an experienced and trusted attorney can make all the difference in the world when pursuing hard to recover (and quantify) non-economic damages such as pain and suffering. Choose the expert car accident lawyers at Dordulian Law Group who have the experience and proven results you deserve.

California’s Leading Car Accident Lawyers

Dordulian Law Group’s (DLG) car accident attorneys have been helping injured motor vehicle crash victims recover maximum financial compensation for decades. If you’ve been injured in a car accident, don’t settle for just any attorney to handle the important responsibility of fighting to recover a maximum damages award for your claim. Choose California’s leading car accident lawyers led by former Deputy District Attorney for Los Angeles County, Sam Dordulian. With over 100 jury trial victories and a 98% success record, you can have peace of mind knowing that your car accident claim is in the best possible hands.

Unlike settlement mill firms that may be quick to accept a lowball of unfair offer, we prepare every case for trial. With Dordulian’s courtroom experience, you can rest easy that we’ll fight to recover the maximum financial damages award you deserve following a car crash injury.

Our expert team of attorneys can help car accident victims secure financial damages. Contact our top-rated lawyers online or by phone for a free consultation today.

DLG’s experience and proven results are why California car accident victims consistently choose us to handle their claims and help ensure justice is secured. DLG provides clients added advantages and benefits that can’t be found elsewhere:

• More than $100,000,000 successfully recovered in settlements and verdicts
• Over 25 years of experience
• A 98% success record
• Former Deputy District Attorney for L.A. County
• More than 100 jury trial victories
• In-house Chief Investigator/retired LAPD detective
• Former auto insurance defense attorneys fighting for you

Contact us today online or by phone at 818-322-4056 for a free and no obligation consultation. When you bring your car accident claim to one of our dedicated team members, we’ll begin an exhaustive process in pursuit of justice on your behalf that includes:

1. Reviewing the facts of your car accident case
2. Launching a thorough investigation led by our in-house Chief Investigator and retired LAPD Central Traffic Division detective, Moses Castillo
3. Developing an aggressive but precise legal strategy in pursuit of maximum financial compensation

DLG’s No Win/No Fee Guarantee means all California car accident victims are able to secure the absolute best legal representation available without ever having to worry about upfront costs or out-of-pocket expenses. You don’t pay a penny until we successfully recover a maximum financial damages award for your car accident injury.

If you’ve suffered an injury as a result of a car accident, you could be facing years of chronic pain and medical expenses. Accordingly, you need a skilled, trusted, and proven attorney like Sam Dordulian to help ensure you recover all applicable financial compensation needed to make a full recovery.

Don’t settle for an inexperienced or unproven firm that could put your car accident claim in jeopardy and leave you with mounting medical bills. Choose the experts at DLG who have the experience and proven results you deserve, allowing you to focus on what’s most important – your physical recovery and overall well-being – while we handle the stressful details and fight to recover you a maximum financial damages award.

For a car accident claim, the best call you can make is to the experienced personal injury lawyers at DLG.