A Realtor who lived in an $800,000 condominium and drove a BMW 6 series automobile was sentenced to 15 years in prison Thursday for leaving the scene of an accident that left a scooter rider dead.
Scott Roman was convicted of killing 22-year-old Joseph Deverson in the May 11, 2015, crash on Powerline Road in Oakland Park. Deverson was described by his family as a man who loved fishing with friends, eating Taco Bell, drinking Bud Light and having a love-hate relationship with the Miami Dolphins. Family members also said he was an organ donor and described him as “the missing link to our family.”
They say they felt a measure of relief in the sentence.
“We’re satisfied at the finding,” said Dawn Deverson, Joseph’s mother. “We wished it was longer.”
The Deverson family also spoke of their nightmarish night when they learned Joseph Deverson had been hit and was in the hospital.
Prosecutor Ross Weiner asked for a 30-year sentence while the defense asked for the minimum mandatory four years.
“Justice was served,” Weiner said.
Roman’s trial started on March 14 and he was found guilty on March 23 after just 30 minutes of deliberation by the jury.
Roman was charged with leaving the scene of an accident involving death and tampering with evidence.
Prosecutors said Roman, 47 at the time, hit Joseph Deverson from behind while Deverson was riding a motorized scooter. They said Roman didn’t stop.
An employee at Roman’s condo told investigators about Roman’s car after Roman told him to have the damaged vehicle washed and repaired.
The next morning Roman told an investigator he was drinking at a Wilton Manors bar, gave his keys to someone to drive him home, and then passed out and didn’t recall anything afterward.
Investigators said video surveillance showed Roman leaving his residence in his undamaged car and then returning, alone, in a damaged car.
According to detectives, Roman told the valet at his condo, “I hit something. I panicked.”
Detectives also said cell phone records show Roman made a call minutes before the crash and received a call minutes after the crash, and both calls were in the vicinity of the crash.
Character witnesses for Roman on Thursday described a caring, giving man who was a star pupil in Alcoholics Anonymous meetings for seven years, since the time shortly after the crash. Many spoke of his generosity.
Judge Barbara Duffy, noting Roman will be 69 years old when his sentence concludes, if he serves the full term, said to him, “You will have an opportunity to show everyone at that time you have changed.”
Roman also received 18 years of probation.
The family said it was tough attending the trial and hearing details of the collision.
“It’s almost unbearable to hear,” Dawn Deverson said.
However, the family said it’s glad this chapter of the seven-year torment is over.
“He’ll be in his late 60s by the time he gets out,” Dawn Deverson said.
Chris Perkins can be reached at .
