Woman sentenced for involvement in children’s canal crash deaths

A woman was sentenced Friday morning for her role in the car crash deaths of two children. But, she was able to take a plea deal.

Julia Drudy, girlfriend of Kenneth Lawson, was sentenced to 60 days in jail for her involvement in the incident that killed Lawson’s 7- and 10-year-old sons Titus and John Wayne. The boys died after the car they were in, driven by Lawson, went into a Cape Coral canal.

A good Samaritan and first responders attempted to rescue the boys from the water. For 50 days and nights, Tyler Ravert, that same good Samaritan, wondered “what if?” What if he had been able to get Titus and John Wayne out sooner? What if he’d been able to save them? What if the boys’ dad and his girlfriend had made different decisions?

“This has affected everybody and it’s affected me a lot. And, I’m dealing with this every day,” said Ravert, after a swell of emotion.

Tyler Ravert heard the car crash in the canal in Cape Coral and run to the scene, jumped into the canal and tried to save these two boys. Unfortunately, it was too late and the car sank.

Etched into his brain is the image of the boys’ father Kenneth Lawson sitting on the bank of the canal with his girlfriend, Julia Drudy, and doing nothing to save his young sons.

“I still see it every day in my head. It’s just not going away until justice is served correctly. That’s what’s going to give me peace,” Ravert said.

Ravert says he is not at peace right now. not after a judge sentence Drudy to only 60 days in jail. The state attorney only charged her with permitting an unauthorized person to drive her car. Police say Drudy let Lawson drive the car despite knowing he had a suspended license and had been drinking.

WINK News Reporter Dannielle Garcia was in the courtroom this morning for Drudy’s sentencing.

“State of Florida vs Julia Drudy case number…” “Oh no contest sorry.” These are just some of the exchanges heard in the courtroom.

The 43 days she has already served will be credited to her sentence. That being said, she will only have to serve 17 additional days in jail. Drudy will also have her driver’s license suspended for 1 year.

Ravert decided to honor Titus and John Wayne with a perfectly manicured path to a pair of crosses. And, his prayer is that their father pays a hefty price.

“I hope he sits In jail every day and thinks of his children that he let die,” Ravert said.

The judge has not yet set a date for Kenneth Lawson’s trial.