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A court has seen a dramatic video revealing the final moments of two teenagers who died while 'car surfing' before the SUV overturned and burst into flames.
Carlos Velazco and Hunter Perez, both 18, were clinging to the side of their 19-year-old friend Joshua Ritter’s speeding car in DeBary, Florida.
Emotional relatives watched the mobile phone clip in a Deland court on Friday. The two friends died while Ritter survived last February's incident.
Recording: The dramatic video footage was played for the court in Deland, Florida
From fun to tragedy: Both of the two men who died can be seen clinging to the outside of an SUV as it races along a street in Deland One teenager is heard saying on the video: ‘If I died, remember this is Carlos's idea.’ Another voice on the tape says: ‘This is insane.’
Moments before their car overturned one of the teens his heard screaming: ’Whoa, Stop.’ The footage then goes blank.
Two other passengers, Ryan Jenkins, 17 and Kenyanna Hawkins, 18, were hospitalised, as was Ritter. But Ryan and Kenyanna were never charged.
Both of the two men who died can be seen clinging to the outside of an SUV as it races along a street in DeBary, reported NBC affiliate WESH.
Tearful: Joshua Ritter, 19, was sentenced to one year of house arrest and five years' probation
The dramatic video footage was played for the court before Ritter was sentenced to one year of house arrest and five years’ probation.
The teen had wept and apologised for his actions after pleading no contest to reckless driving and vehicular homicide.
‘I can't start to explain how sorry I am for everything that happened,’ said Ritter, who could have faced up 35 years in prison.
‘I am so sorry to all the families,’ he added. ‘I'll never forget what happened and I'll try to do whatever I can to make it right.’
Ritter, whose father is a police officer, was behind the wheel of the Nissan Pathfinder when it crashed on a dirt road a year ago.
Surfing: The SUV reached an estimated 70mph in a 35mph zone when the teens realised they were about to crash and screamed at Ritter to stop
Forward-facing: Carlos was thrown from the side of the vehicle, while Hunter was trapped inside and died when it burst into flames The SUV reached an estimated 70mph in a 35mph zone when the teens realised they were about to crash and screamed at Ritter to stop.
Carlos was thrown from the side of the vehicle, while Hunter was trapped inside and died when it burst into flames.
Hunter’s mother Robin Parker told the court: ‘I get no pleasure from your pain, but you must be held accountable for two lives lost.
‘Justice will be over for everyone today, but I'll be dressed in this black for the rest of my life,’ the 50-year-old added.
After the judge agreed with prosecutors to sentence Ritter to probation and house arrest, she stormed out of the courtroom.
click here to see video
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