Cerda Sentenced to 12 Years for DUI Manslaughter of 21-Year-Old Woman

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that the Honorable Lindsay Tygart sentenced Ramon Cerda to 12 years in Florida State Prison for DUI Manslaughter and Reckless Driving Causing Damage to Property which caused the death of 21-year-old Nell Behr. Cerda previously pleaded guilty to the charges on Jan. 12, 2024.

On Jan. 14, 2023, Florida Highway Patrol troopers responded to a two-car crash on Interstate 295 near Monument Road. Cerda was heading home from a Jacksonville bar after he had been drinking. He was driving the wrong way on Interstate 295 near Monument Road when he crashed into Behr driving her car. Behr suffered severe injuries and was later determined to be brain dead. She was pronounced deceased on Jan. 15, 2024. Cerda was taken to the hospital for his injuries, and while there, investigators noticed his bloodshot eyes, alcohol on his breath, and slurred speech. Cerda also told officers he had been drinking before the crash. Florida Highway Patrol drew a sample of Cerda’s blood, and he was found to have a blood alcohol level of .128.

Behr was a native of Oak Park, Illinois and had just graduated from Florida State College at Jacksonville nine days before she was killed. She is survived by her parents and sister, Tess.

The case was investigated by the Florida Highway Patrol and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney John Kalinowski.