SANTA FE — Kit Francis II left a lot of family behind when he was killed in a car crash two years ago, but it’s his now 6-year-old daughter who may impacted by his loss the most.
Kasey Weaver, 26, was sentenced to serve at least eight years in prison for driving drunk and causing a crash that killed Francis, 24, on Cerrillos Road near Interstate 25 on Easter Day in 2017.
District Court Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer sentenced Weaver, convicted of one count of vehicular homicide after a trial in November, to 15 years, but she suspended seven years.
Several of Francis’ family members were in the courtroom Wednesday. Jacque Pena, the mother of Francis’ daughter, told Marlowe Sommer that the little girl has been having a hard time dealing with the death of her father and once drew a picture of herself with angel wings. “She told me she wants to die so she can see daddy,” Pena said through tears.
Weaver and Francis, who were dating at the time, came to Santa Fe from Albuquerque on April 16, 2017, and were drinking at Meow Wolf before heading home. Weaver, who had a blood alcohol content .17 percent — more than twice the level of presumed intoxication— ran a red light at the diverging diamond interchange at Cerrillos and Interstate 25 while going 65 mph.
Weaver collided with another car and Francis, who was not wearing a seat belt, was ejected. He died days later at an Albuquerque hospital.
Family members said Weaver never apologized to them. Weaver said in court Wednesday that she didn’t believe she was allowed to have contact with the victim’s family.
“I really am truly sorry,” Weaver said. “I thought I wasn’t allowed to (make contact). It doesn’t make it OK. I regret not having the opportunity to see him and say goodbye and tell him I’m sorry. “I don’t want anybody to think I don’t feel bad. There are no words to describe how horrible I feel.”
Most of Francis’ relatives who addressed the court asked Marlowe Sommer to impose the maximum sentence of 15 years in prison. But Francis’ father, Kit Francis Sr., said he just wanted Weaver to learn her lesson.
“This girl’s life doesn’t need to be ruined by prison, but she needs to do enough time so that she gets it and understands,” he said. “That’s what I’m asking for.”
