Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis hosts Jacksonville 'angel parents' as guests at State of the State

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The parents of a Jacksonville man who was killed in a car crash by a person who was in the United States illegally were guests of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis at Tuesday's State of the State address.

In his address, DeSantis called Kiyan and Bobby Michael "angel parents" to their son, Brandon Randolph Michael, who died in 2007. Brandon was a 2004 graduate of Fletcher High School.

READ: GOV. DESANTIS' FULL STATE OF THE STATE REMARKS

DeSantis first met the Michael family in February at an event in Brooksville where he called for increased state and federal cooperation for immigration enforcement.

"Here with us today are two angel parents, Bobby and Kiyan Michael from Jacksonville," DeSantis said during the State of the State on Tuesday. "Their son Brandon was killed by a foreign national who was illegally in our country and who been deported on two prior occasions. Brandon was a young man engaged to be married, but instead of planning a wedding, Bobby and Kiyan had to plan a funeral. Had our laws simply been enforced, Bobby and Kiyan might not have had to bury their son. Let's do right by the Michael family; let's prohibit sanctuary cities in Florida."

According to a news release from the governor's office, the person who struck Brandon was driving without a license or registration. He was sentenced to two years and ordered to pay restitution and was again deported.

STAY UPDATED: Download the Action News Jax app for live updates on breaking stories

Cox Media Group