Bond revoked for woman accused in fatal hit-and-run that killed North Fort Myers teen

Writer: Joey Pellegrino
Published: Updated:
Courtney Gainey (Credit: LCSO booking photo)

The woman accused of killing a North Fort Myers teenager in a hit-and-run last year and tampering with witnesses was taken into custody during court proceedings Tuesday.

The judge revoked 25-year-old Courtney Gainey’s pretrial release on bond after finding probable cause for accusations of witness tampering based on reading depositions from said witnesses, who both alleged that Gainey had alternately pleaded with and threatened them over the phone earlier in 2020. One of the witnesses, a friend of Gainey’s, told the court he felt threatened by Gainey.

“I should think about her and her kids and that we’ve known her for years. My life would be a living hell,” said Austin Britton, describing to the judge what he says Gainey told him.
“That didn’t sit right with me.”

He went on to say he felt threatened. “I asked, ‘Is that a threat?’ and it never got answered. But I felt threatened. I took it as a threat.”

In the courtroom Tuesday as Gainey’s bond was revoked was the family of Allana Staiano, the 14-year-old Gainey is accused of killing.

“But it’s good to publicly say Austin Britton, thank you so much, it takes a lot to stand up, especially with people you grew up with and were friends with, and say, ‘Hey, this is wrong. You guys need to do what’s right,'” said Christine Gray, Allana’s mom.

Gainey was silent during the hearing, just shaking her head and sobbing at some points. She will remain in custody until her trial begins Sept. 21.

“I’m here to tell them, they have met their match, they will not find somebody stronger than me, mentally… I will put myself through hell and back to make sure this comes out with the proper outcome,” Gray said.

“She left my 14-year-old daughter laying face-first on the side of the road to die, by herself. That is what I hope she has to live with for the rest of her life.”

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