Driver sentenced following deadly illegal car rally at Jersey shore

WILDWOOD, New Jersey (WPVI) -- The driver accused of killing two people during an illegal car rally in Wildwood, New Jersey last year was sentenced on Thursday.

Gerald White -- who pleaded guilty back in November -- was sentenced to 25 years behind bars on charges of Aggravated Manslaughter and Aggravated Assault.

Police say White, 38, was involved in a crash on Atlantic Avenue during the unsanctioned H2Oi rally on September 24, 2022.

READ MORE: 2 killed during 'unsanctioned' car event in Wildwood, NJ; 1 arrested

A Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania man is facing charges after two people were killed in Wildwood, New Jersey during an "unsanctioned" car event known as H20i.

Authorities say he fled police, causing another crash at Atlantic and Burke avenues.

Police say White struck a Honda Civic and two pedestrians. Timothy Ogden, 34, was in the Civic, and Lindsay Weakland, 18, was one of the pedestrians. Both of them died from their injuries.

There weren't many dry eyes in the courtroom as families of the victims read statements before the sentencing.

"I'm one of the many lives you have forever changed in one of the most horrific ways possible. You took two lives. You injured two. You broke many hearts. I stand here today a survivor," said Sarah Farmer, who is Ogden's fiancé. "Justice isn't served in my eyes, but I'm happy to know you're behind bars, not able to hurt anyone else. And you're not forgiven."

"On September 25, Timothy lost the fight for his life and we've received a life sentence. A life without our son," added Ogden's mother, Michelle Dick

Police say White had a BAC level of .197 when he was behind the wheel that night.

"Not only did White take Lindsay from us that night, he took everything from us. Our smiles, laughter, goals, dreams, health and most of all our purpose," said Lindsay's sister, Haley Weakland.

The defense asked for 15 years instead of 25, but the judge disagreed.

White did speak before he received his sentence.

"I just want to say that I'm sorry for what happened. I never meant to hurt nobody. I just want to tell my kids I love them. Stay strong out there. I'm gonna tell my story. I hope my story will help other people not to do what I did," he said.

According to the plea agreement, White has to serve 85% of his sentence before he's eligible for parole.