Florida Man Sentenced After Mother and Two Daughters Burned Alive in 100-MPH Dodge Charger Crash, Court Says

NORTH BAY VILLAGE, FLORIDA — A Florida man will spend more than four decades behind bars after authorities say he caused a horrific high-speed crash that killed a mother and her two teenage daughters, trapping the children inside a burning vehicle as flames consumed it.

According to court records, Julius Bernstein, 27, was sentenced Friday to 45 years in prison for the deaths of Cynthia Orsa Telliz, and her daughters Sophia Saidi, 15, and Maria Saidi, 12. A jury convicted Bernstein in September of vehicular homicide and leaving the scene of a crash causing death.

Nearly 100 MPH in a 30 MPH Zone

The deadly crash occurred on June 27, 2022, along the John F. Kennedy Causeway, which connects Miami to North Bay Village.

Investigators determined Bernstein was driving his Dodge Charger at 109 miles per hour in a 30 mph zone before slowing slightly to about 97 mph moments before impact, according to a probable cause arrest affidavit.

At the same time, Telliz was attempting to make a left-hand turn in her Infiniti G35 when Bernstein’s vehicle slammed into her car with extreme force.

Vehicle Erupts in Flames, Children Trapped Inside

The collision caused Telliz’s vehicle to burst into flames almost immediately, authorities said.

First responders rushed to the scene and managed to pull Telliz from the burning car. However, her two daughters were trapped inside and could not be rescued in time.

“They burned alive,” investigators wrote in court documents describing the scene.

Driver Fled Without Calling for Help

Instead of stopping to help or calling 911, authorities say Bernstein fled the scene, leaving behind a trail of blood from his own injuries.

Police later issued an arrest warrant, and Bernstein was captured in North Carolina in 2023, nearly a year after the deadly crash.

Family Speaks Out During Sentencing

During Friday’s sentencing hearing, Samir Saidi, Telliz’s husband and the father of the two girls, addressed the court.

“My family — their lives were taken from me,” he said. “I cannot forgive this individual.”

Telliz’s brother, Omar Orstelliz, also spoke about the lasting trauma of the tragedy.

“Being left alone in their final moments is something we live with every day,” he told the court.

Jury Conviction Leads to Lengthy Sentence

Prosecutors argued that Bernstein’s excessive speed and decision to flee demonstrated a reckless disregard for human life. Jurors ultimately agreed, convicting him on all counts related to the fatal crash.

The 45-year sentence ensures Bernstein will spend much of his adult life in prison.

A Tragedy That Shook South Florida

The case has drawn widespread attention across South Florida, highlighting the deadly consequences of extreme speeding and hit-and-run driving.

As the Telliz-Saidi family continues to grieve, the sentencing brings a measure of accountability but little comfort for the lives lost in the violent crash.

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