A Sunnyvale woman who was behind the wheel when her boyfriend was killed while car surfing has pleaded no contest to felony vehicular manslaughter and will spend no more than one year in jail, according to the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office.

Athena Ford, 20, of Sunnyvale, was driving a Toyota Camry on May 16 when her boyfriend, Paul Benabides, 20, fell off the roof of the car while it was traveling 30 to 40 mph, according to the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety. Benabides suffered major head injuries and died shortly after being taken to El Camino Hospital.

In reaching a plea deal with the district attorney’s office, Ford avoided a possible maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.

“Based on our review of all factors, including mitigating factors, this is what we felt was appropriate in this case,” said Amy Cornell, a spokeswoman for the DA’s office.

Benabides and Ford were out with another friend on a Saturday night in May when Benabides and the other passenger climbed onto the roof of the Camry, which was traveling northbound on Lois Avenue. Benabides slipped to the rear of the car and held on to the “rear wing” while being dragged for an undetermined distance, according to police.

Sunnyvale police Capt. Doug Moretto said a combination of alcohol and “horseplay” led directly to the death.

Benabides’ mother, Susanna Ramon, is not happy with the outcome.

“I believe there wasn’t any justice for my son,” Ramon said. “I don’t feel the system worked for him.”

Benabides attended James Lick High School and was taking auto mechanic classes at the time of his death, his mother said. Benabides and Ford had been dating for about six weeks when he died, Ramon said.

Ford’s attorney, Cameron Watt, described the incident as “a tragedy for everybody involved” and added that his client received an appropriate sentence. Watt said that Ford was not bailed out of jail so she could begin a rehabilitation program while in custody. Watt expects his client to be sentenced to a military-type training program out of Elmwood County Jail that helps people battling drug and alcohol addictions.

“It’s an extremely successful program,” Watt said. “She’s in the right place and I think justice is being served.”

Contact Mark Gomez at 408-920-5869.