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Hearing Set For Wrong Way Wreck Driver Civil Case

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FORT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) --  The former employer of the wrong way wreck driver responsible for the death of two young girls may be on the hook for the incident.

Kayla Mendoza was sentenced to 24 years in prison for DUI Manslaughter.

On Tuesday, a judge was hearing arguments on whether the mobile store she worked at in Tamarac when the crash happened should be on the hook for damages in the incident.

The lawyer for the families argues Mendoza was invited by her manager and she felt it was in her best interest to go out with the managers and other employees for advancement at work. 

Meantime, the lawyer for the store said Mendoza was at the restaurant, drinking after work, on her personal time. The attorney also argued there is no evidence the gathering was work related. She was not required or paid to go.

Mendoza was under the influence, after the gathering, when she slammed into another car on the Sawgrass Expressway, killing 21-year old Kaitlyn Nicole Ferrante and 21-year old Marisa Caran Catronio in November 2013.

The self-described pothead princess tweeted '2 drunk to care' just hours before the accident.

During her sentencing hearing in May, Mendoza wept and apologized for her actions.  

As of noon on Tuesday, the judge had not made a decision in the case. If the judge decides in favor of Mendoza's former employer, its over for them. If the judge rules against them, the civil case will be taken to trial.

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