Struck cheerleader flew 40m in air

Killer sentenced ... Nancy Lopez-Ruiz was killed when she was hit by Mario Careaga's Mercedes and flung 40m in to the air. Source: Supplied

A DRUNK insurance executive who struck and killed a Miami Heat cheerleader, sending her 40 metres in to the air has been jailed for 15 years.

A US court found Mario Careaga, 46, guilty of manslaughter while drunk after he hit 22-year-old Nancy Lopez-Ruiz with his Mercedes after she had pulled over on the side of the road in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Careaga hit the stationary motorcycle she was riding, sending her flying into the air. He is expected to appeal the verdict.

Before the court handed down its verdict, Ms Lopez-Ruiz's family asked the court to give Careaga the maximum 15-year sentence.

"When he says that he's willing to take responsibility, it's not true," Ms Lopez-Ruiz's sister, Marjorie said.

Ms Lopez-Ruiz had just landed her dream job with the Miami Heat cheerleaders and was expected to start performing with them in October 2010, a month after she was struck and killed.

She was coming home from practice on the night she died.

Appeal expected ... Mario Careaga will appeal his 15-year sentence for killing Nancy Lopez-Ruiz. Source: Supplied

The court heard that Careaga crossed three lanes of traffic before hitting her.

Police said the wealthy insurance executive was "swaying from side to side in a circular motion" when they arrived at the scene.

"(He had) bloodshot, glassy eyes, slurred speech, the odour of alcoholic beverages coming from his person, unsteady balance and difficulty supporting himself," police said, according to NBC Miami.

Careaga claims he only had two vodka's before he got behind the wheel but his blood alcohol level of .28, more than three-times the legal limit in Florida, indicated otherwise, police said.

In another twist to the case, Careaga's lawyers called for a mistrial after allegations surfaced that a juror made anti-gay comments about Careaga, who is gay. The judge said there was no evidence that Careaga was convicted because of his sexual orientation.

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