A 20-year-old Homestead woman is facing a serious felony charge after police say she plowed into a minibike carrying two people, then took off, leaving both riders badly hurt.
The crash happened last Wednesday and ended with the two minibike riders thrown from the bike and rushed to HCA Florida Kendall Hospital. According to police, one victim reportedly suffered seizures and had to be intubated. The suspected driver, identified as Vilma Martin-Aguilar, was arrested Monday and booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, where a judge later set her bond at $7,500.
Crash and arrest
Investigators say the collision unfolded at Northwest 12th Avenue and 10th Street when a minibike heading west went into the intersection and was hit by a northbound 2015 Honda Accord. Witnesses at the scene pointed officers toward a parked Accord that appeared to match what they had just seen, and police say damage on the car lined up with the crash.
Officers also recovered a bumper piece at the scene and matched it to the Accord, confirming it was the same vehicle involved in the wreck, according to Local 10. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue crews transported both injured riders to HCA Florida Kendall Hospital for treatment.
Bond hearing
Martin-Aguilar went before a Miami-Dade County judge on a second-degree felony count of leaving the scene of a crash involving serious bodily injury. During the bond hearing, Miami-Dade County Circuit Judge Mindy Glazer summarized the allegation in blunt terms: "She struck a minibike, two people on a minibike, and then fled the scene," before setting bond at $7,500, according to Local 10.
Circuit Judge Cristina Miranda has been assigned to preside over the case while prosecutors comb through the arrest report and supporting evidence.
Charges and penalties
Under Florida law, leaving the scene of a crash that causes serious bodily injury is a second-degree felony, a level of offense that can bring substantial prison time and fines if there is a conviction. The specific duties for drivers involved in a serious crash, and the way the crime is ranked for punishment, are laid out in state law and in Florida's sentencing chart. For the statute and guidelines, see the Florida Senate and the Florida Senate.
What comes next
Martin-Aguilar is scheduled to return to court as the case moves forward and prosecutors decide how to formally charge the case after reviewing physical evidence and witness statements.
Hit-and-run crashes have been drawing extra scrutiny across Miami-Dade in recent months. In another recent case, an elderly motorist was arrested after a scooter rider was badly injured, as reported in cops collar 82-year-old in Westchester hit-and-run. Anyone with video or information about the Homestead crash is urged to contact the Homestead Police Department.
