Sienna Pecore holds back tears at her sentencing hearing April 12, 2024, as she apologizes for the crash that killed Cruz Beltron. PC: Fox 11 Online
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — A teen who didn’t have a driver’s license, took her mom’s car without permission, then crashed it while driving more than 110 mph, killing a passenger, was sentenced Friday to nine years in prison.
Sienna Pecore — who is now 17 but was 15 at the time of the Oct. 30, 2022, crash on Mason Street which killed Cruz Beltron — previously was convicted of second-degree reckless homicide and recklessly endangering safety.
Pecore was also placed on extended supervision for six years by Judge John Zakowski. Pecore must also perform 300 hours of community service, and will have to address high school students about making good decisions. Restitution of $13,285.19 was ordered, as well.
Before the sentence was issued, Pecore tearfully read a statement apologizing for the crash.
I understand there are consequences for every action, and I know there will be consequences for my actions, and I will accept those. I put myself and others in harm’s way and the result was tragic. My intentions were not to inflict harm or cause any suffering. I will forever have to carry this burden with me knowing what I have done. I am not sure I will ever be able to forgive myself.
I am not the person the circumstances make me out to be.
District Attorney David Lasee asked for eight years in prison, noting the poor choices she made — albeit with unintended consequences — the reckless nature of the conduct, and the death itself.
Pecore’s attorney, Catherine White, asked for time equal to jail time already served with a lengthy period of extensive supervision to provide her structure and support, or risk turning her into a criminal for life.
Judge Zakowski called Pecore’s actions “outrageous” for putting everyone in the community at risk, and said punishment was an appropriate factor when formulating the sentence.
In Wisconsin, those ages 10 and older charged with certain homicide counts are prosecuted in adult court, such as in this case. As is allowed by law, the defense asked for the case to be moved to juvenile court but a judge denied that motion, keeping it in adult court.
According to the criminal complaint, Pecore told police she had her mother’s car without permission.
“(The officer) asked Pecore why was she driving so fast and she said that she did not know and that she just was. (The officer) asked Pecore if she was racing another car, weaving in and out of traffic or being encouraged to drive that fast and she said she was not. (The officer) informed Pecore that a preliminary speed estimate was that she was traveling in excess of 100 MPH and Pecore said that she did not think that was right,” the complaint states.
“Pecore stated that she saw that the light was green, but then it turned yellow so she thought she could make it through the intersection. Pecore did state that she did remember seeing a vehicle stopped northbound on S. Oneida St. just south of W. Mason St. Pecore recalled the vehicle enter the intersection as she approached. Pecore stated that she then really did not remember what happened,” the complaint states.
Police used security cameras to estimate her speed.
“My analysis of the Walgreens video concluded that the Corolla was traveling an average of 170.9 feet per second or 116.5 MPH over the last 188 ft or 1.1 seconds prior to impact. My analysis of the Shell video concluded that the Corolla was traveling an average of 181 feet per second or 123.4 MPH over the last 362 feet or 2 seconds prior to impact. The posted speed limit here is 35 MPH,” the complaint states.
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