Courtney Gainey sentenced to 30-years in hit-and-run death of 14-year-old Allana Marie Staiano

Reporter: Breana Ross Writer: Matthew Seaver
Published: Updated:
Courtney Gainey (Credit: LCSO booking photo)

Courtney Gainey has been sentenced to 30-years in prison after pleading guilty to the death of 14-year-old Allana Marie Staiano in a hit-and-run crash in North Fort Myers in January 2020.

Gainey killed Staiano with her car and then fled the scene in the Suncoast Estates community of North Fort Myers.

She then surrendered to members of the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Warrants Task Force several days later.

Gainey changed her plea in open court on Sept. 21, with no plea deals and acknowledged to the judge it was because of her own guilt.

Allana’s family was in court on Monday for Gainey’s sentencing.

Allana Staiano (Photo courtesy of family)

A teddy bear and some photos. Christine Gray said she holds on to these items tight because she can no longer hold on to her daughter Allana. She brought them to court to show the judge how much she’s lost.

“I’ll never hear her voice again. Except for this teddy bear,” said Gray before activating the bear which plays a recording of Allana saying ‘I love you.’

Gray and Allana’s loved ones understand nothing will bring Allana back and no amount of time in jail can change that.

But they asked the judge to make Gainey pay for leaving their precious girl for dead on the side of the road.

Caitlynn Alix, Allana’s sister said, “We understand that accidents happen but it’s not an accident when you drive around the corner and call the lawyer and not 911.”

Before the judge sentenced Gainey to 30-years behind bars, Gainey apologized to Allana’s family. “As a mother, I feel for you and I wish I could bring your daughter back because no mother should lose their child. I’m sorry for that.”

But Allana’s mother said it’s too late for apologies. The family celebrated after the judge read his sentence. They say the judge did right by Allana. “Not once did she show any emotion until it directly affected her, when she was caught,” said Gray. “She got a maximum sentence, a sentence that most people don’t and I hope that everyone thinks about that when they get in a car.”

Christine Gray said she hopes this sentence sends a message to anyone who thinks about leaving the scene of a crash.

Although Courtney Gainey threw herself at the mercy of the court, she can appeal the judge’s maximum sentence.

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