Prosecutors recently presented a crucial piece of evidence in the case against a 15-year-old boy who allegedly crashed his family’s SUV into another car in Hialeah back in April. The evidence in question is surveillance video that captured the exact moment of impact.
This tragic incident has claimed the lives of three individuals, with the most recent victim passing away just this week. The surveillance footage shows the horrifying crash that occurred when the 15-year-old, identified as Maykoll Santiesteban, was reportedly speeding while joyriding with friends.
According to police reports, the SUV driven by Santiesteban was traveling at over 80 mph in a 30 mph zone, as seen in the surveillance videos from various cameras in the neighborhood. Prosecutors highlighted the fact that the victim’s car had come to a complete stop at an intersection, acting as she was supposed to, but had no way of anticipating the high-speed collision approaching her.
The devastating crash resulted in the deaths of Yarina Garcia, 39, and Gloria Hernandez, 71, on the day of the incident. Tragically, Liliana Hernandez Molina, 66, succumbed to her injuries this week after fighting for her life for five months following the crash.
Prosecutor Laura Adams detailed the speed at which Santiesteban was driving leading up to the impact, reaching speeds of 72 mph, then 75, 79, and ultimately 83 mph in the seconds before the collision. Prosecutors emphasized that if the teen had been adhering to the 30 mph speed limit, the collision could have been avoided, as the family’s car was only traveling at 9 mph.
The husband of Liliana Hernandez Molina, Bob Garcia, expressed the immense pain and suffering caused by the loss of his wife of 43 years. He described the enduring grief and devastation that he and his family are experiencing in the wake of this tragedy.
Santiesteban is currently facing charges of vehicular homicide, with the possibility of additional charges following the death of the third victim. His defense attorney has entered a plea of not guilty, stating that they are carefully examining all the evidence in the case.
As the legal proceedings continue, the community mourns the loss of three lives and grapples with the consequences of reckless driving. This heartbreaking incident serves as a somber reminder of the importance of road safety and responsible driving practices to prevent such devastating accidents in the future.