A teen accused of violently carjacking a 64-year-old Uber Eats driver in Westport was sentenced Thursday to 6 1/2 years in prison as part of a plea agreement.

Tayvion Hart, 19, of New Haven, previously pleaded guilty to robbery, assault on an elderly person, larceny and conspiracy to commit larceny in the March 2022 attack.

The victim, who suffered serious injuries, including brain bleeds, spoke publicly for the first time—initially during the hearing, then with News 12 after it. Pearl, who asked we not use her last name, had never been to any of Hart’s previous court appearances but felt it was important to be there today.

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“I'm doing well. It’s still a struggle, though. Not a day goes by that I don't worry that something like this might happen to someone else,” she explained.

Pearl, who lives in Westport, has come a long way in her recovery since March 5, 2022. She was driving for Uber Eats at the time and stopped that night at Golden Pizza in Westfair Plaza to pick up an order. While inside, she saw a man get into her car that she’d left running out front. Pearl tried to stop him but instead was attacked.

“My pelvis was broken. My head injury was terrible. I had broken hands. I couldn't walk for months, and it was hard on my family. I was in intensive care for over a week, then the regular hospital and a nursing home for a while, which was horrible,” Pearl recalled.

Police arrested four teens from New Haven, including Hart, the main suspect. Hart took a plea deal with an agreed upon sentence of 15 years in prison, suspended after 6 ½ years, followed by five years of probation. Assistant State's Attorney Elizabeth Moran told News 12 the disposition was due in part to Hart’s age, his lack of adult convictions and the death of an important witness for the state last summer.

Pearl was hoping Hart would get more jail time in hopes of deterring this behavior but said she understood the outcome and was comfortable with it.

“We've got one bad guy who won't be out there hurting other people,” Pearl said.

Hart has other pending cases as well, including a violent carjacking in Stratford that he’s set to be sentenced in next month. Pearl said it made her feel a little better to know he’s still facing more time.

She faced Hart for the first time during the hearing and spoke directly to him.

“I just basically let him know that what he did was wrong,” she said.

Pearl also told the court about the physical, mental and emotional toll this has taken on her.

“It was difficult going through it, but I just felt I needed to go today,” Pearl explained.

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Westport rallied around her after the attack. A GoFundMe campaign quickly raised over $33,000. Pearl had no health insurance, so the money has been critical for her recovery.

“I could never be more grateful. I am still in touch with people in the town, and it's an amazing place to be,” Pearl told News 12.