Photo for Headline Surfer / Michael Kraft, 40, shown above, was sentenced on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, to five concurrent life sentences for the deaths of Vincent Russo, 73, and Jenica Campbell, 39, on State Road 46 in March 2021. Kraft struck Russo with his vehicle, then turned around and fatally hit Campbell as she tried to help the injured motorcyclist, prosecutors said. A Seminole County jury convicted Kraft in March of two counts each of DUI manslaughter, vehicular homicide, and leaving the scene of a crash involving death. During the trial, prosecutors presented evidence showing Kraft was under the influence of methamphetamine at the time of the crash.
By HENRY FREDERICK / Headline Surfer
SANFORD, Fla. -- A Sanford man who struck and killed a motorcyclist on S.R. 46, then did a U-turn and mowed down a Good Samaritan, has been sentenced to life in prison for the two deaths.
Circuit Judge Michael Rudisill sentenced MICHAEL KRAFT, 40, to five concurrent life sentences for killing Vincent Russo, 73, and Jenica Campbell, 39, in March 2021.
A Seminole County jury convicted KRAFT in March of two counts of DUI manslaughter, two counts of vehicular homicide, and two counts of leaving the scene of an accident involving death.
The 40-year-old Sanford man who killed a motorcyclist and a Good Samaritan while high on a meth-fueled crash on State Road 46in 2021 was sentenced Wednesday to life in prison.
Circuit Judge Michael Rudisill sentenced Michael Kraft, 40, to five concurrent life sentences for the deaths of Vincent Russo, 73, and Jenica Campbell, 39, on State Road 46 in March 2021. Kraft struck Russo with his 2009 4-door Jaguar, then turned around and fatally hit Campbell as she tried to help the injured motorcyclist, prosecutors said.
Concurrent means all five life sentences run together as one. A concurrent sentence means a defendant serving multiple prison sentences will serve all sentences simultaneously. In this case, all five sentences are the same length - life.
Michael Kraft admitted to causing the deaths but claimed he was legally insane. At the sentencing hearing, surviving family members of the victims described the mental anguish they have felt over the deaths.
A Seminole County jury convicted Kraft in March of two counts each of DUI manslaughter, vehicular homicide, and leaving the scene of a crash involving death. During the trial, prosecutors presented evidence showing Kraft was under the influence of methamphetamine at the time of the crash.
At trial, Assistant State Attorneys Stewart Stone, Rich Coln, and Sarah Mian presented evidence that showed Kraft was under the extreme influence of methamphetamine at the time of the incident. Kraft did not deny causing the deaths but claimed he was insane at the time.
At a sentencing hearing on April 16, Mr. Russo and Mrs. Campbell’s surviving family members spoke of the devastating impact Kraft’s actions have had on their lives. “It was an appropriate, legal sentence that matches the horrific nature of the crime,” prosecutor Stone said.
At a sentencing hearing on April 16, Mr. Russo and Mrs. Campbell’s surviving family members spoke of the devastating impact Kraft’s actions have had on their lives. “It was an appropriate, legal sentence that matches the horrific nature of the crime,” prosecutor Stone said.
The sentence was formally handed down earlier in the day, Wednesday, by Circuit Judge Michael Rudisill
About the Headline Surfer Byline Writer: Henry Frederick is an award-winning journalist who launched Headline Surfer in 2008, which serves greater Daytona Beach, Sanford & Orlando via