Cameron Herrin is an American convicted felon who made the headlines in 2018 after getting into a street-racing crash on Bayshore Boulevard, Florida. The accident claimed the life of a mother and her baby. 18-year-old Cameron was driving the car that killed them.
Before the tragic event, Cameron was graduating high school and planning to pursue higher education at a nearby college. His life and dreams were shattered after receiving a 24-year sentence for vehicular homicide and unlawful racing, a consequence of his need for speed.
If you want to know more about the story of Cameron Herrin, you’re in the right place. Keep scrolling for facts about Cameron’s personal life, family and friends, education, hobbies, prison sentence, and details of the terrible accident that changed his life.
Personal Facts About Cameron Herrin
Cameron Coyle Herrin, who goes by the name Cameron, was born on September 9, 1999, in Texas, United States. He is currently 24 years old, as of early 2024. His parents are Chris Herrin and Cheryl Herrin. Cameron has one elder brother, Tristan Christopher Herrin.
Both Cameron and his brother, Tristan, spent their childhood in Texas. Their family moved to Florida in 2005. Cameron comes from a wealthy household, as his mother is a retired South Tampa insurance executive, while his father is a videographer and editor.
Cameron and his family live in a Mediterranean-style home located in West Gardner Court in the Ballast Point neighborhood of South Tampa. It has five bedrooms, five and a half bathrooms, and almost 6,000 square feet of space. Records show that they paid $1.4 million for the house.
Who Are the Family Members of Cameron Herrin?
Cameron Herrin’s father is Chris Herrin. Chris worked as a videographer and editor who specializes in corporate video presentations, but according to family friends, he mostly stayed at home to focus on raising Cameron and his brother. Chris is currently 64 years old.
Meanwhile, Cameron’s mother, Cheryl Herrin, worked as the vice president of State Farm Insurance Company’s Mid-Atlantic zone. She also served as a member of the Board of Governors for Citizens Property Insurance. Cheryl is 64 years old at present.
Cameron is also close with his 26-year-old brother, Tristan Herrin. Since childhood, the two often volunteered to do lawn mowing, weed trimming, and landscaping work for their neighbors. Both of them love outdoor activities, including jet skiing and skydiving.
Cameron Herrin’s Education
At the time of the Bayshore street-racing accident, Cameron was 18 years old and about to graduate from Tampa Catholic High School in Florida. He was planning on studying marketing at the Hillsborough Community College.
The 2018 Mustang GT that was involved in the car crash was a graduation gift from his parents. Cameron’s friend and classmate, John Alexander Barrineau, was also part of the accident. He was driving a Nissan Altima.
According to Andrea Urdaneta, Cameron’s fellow graduating senior, “Everyone feels terrible for the victims and that a husband and father have to go through this world alone, but we also feel bad for Cameron, because we just graduated together.”
What Did Cameron Herrin Do? Details of the Bayshore Street-Racing Accident
On May 23, 2018, Tampa police arrested Cameron Herrin, his brother, Tristan Herrin, and their friend, John Barrineau. The three were engaged in a street race that led to the death of Jessica Raubenolt, a 24-year-old mom from Ohio, and her 21-month-old daughter, Lillia Raubenolt.
The accident took place just before noon, in the area where W. Knights Avenue meets Bayshore. Jessica was “attempting a lawful crossing” of the street and pushing Lillia’s three-wheeled stroller when she was hit by Cameron’s black 2018 Ford Mustang.
At that time, Cameron, with Tristan as his passenger, was street racing John Barrineau’s gold Nissan Altima. Cameron’s car was running at 102 mph, which was 2.5 times more than the posted speed limit.
The victims were brought to Tampa General Hospital, where Jessica was declared dead. Lillia sustained serious injuries and passed away the next day.
Tampa attorney John Fitzgibbons, who is representing Cameron, said “I can say at this point that there was no alcohol involved, there were no drugs involved and the cars stopped immediately at the scene.”
Before the incident, the Herrin brothers and John Barrineau were on the way to LA Fitness for a quick workout, while Jessica Raubenolt and her daughter Lilia were walking back toward a family member’s home after stepping out for a sunny morning walk.
What Prison Sentence Did Cameron Herrin Get?
In April 2021, Hillsborough Circuit Judge Christopher Nash sentenced Cameron Herrin to 24 years in prison for vehicular homicide and unlawful racing. The sentence was 6 years short of the maximum statutory time of 30 years.
The judge mentioned that Cameron’s history of excessive speeding contributed to his decision. Meanwhile, Tristan was facing up to one year behind bars for a street racing charge, which the Hillsborough prosecutors later dropped in May 2021.
Meanwhile, Cameron’s friend, John Barrineau, negotiated a plea agreement with the state. He plead guilty to two vehicular homicide charges as well as a misdemeanor racing charge. He was sentenced to six years in Florida State prison followed by another 15 years of probation.
Where Is Cameron Herrin Now?
Cameron Herrin’s car accident sparked a cult following online, with social media users launching a campaign to help overturn his sentence, which was ultimately unsuccessful. A Hillsborough County judge dismissed the motion to reduce his 24-year prison term.
Cameron Herrin is currently serving his prison sentence at the Graceville Correctional Facility, a private state prison for men located in Graceville, Jackson County, Florida.
After exhausting all of his legal options, Cameron is expected to finish his 24-year prison sentence in 2044. By that time, he will be in his early 40s.