Driver In Deadly U.S. 1 Crash Given $1 Million Bond
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Sandor Guillen, the man police said was driving the vehicle that killed Kaely Camacho, 13, made his first appearance in court since the crash last Friday and for the first time, the details of the crash were revealed in the newly released police report.
Guillen waived his appearance and was given a $1 million bond. Guillen faces charges including vehicular homicide, DUI manslaughter, leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death, leaving the scene of an accident causing serious bodily injury, and driving without a drivers license resulting in a death.
"Judge there's no difference in this case than shooting someone with a gun," said Bruce Cease, Kaely's great uncle. "Getting in a car, speeding down a busway, drinking , at a high rate of speed killing one little girl and almost killing the other two in the vehicle is just atrocious."
Guillen's attorney attempted to waive his client's appearance at the bond hearing, citing his injuries.
"He [Guillen] has a punctured liver, a collapsed lung, and I'm told seven broken ribs," defense attorney Bruce Lehr told the court.
But Judge Samantha Ruiz-Cohen wouldn't allow it, saying she wanted Guillen to hear the conditions of his bond in person. She imposed rigorous restrictions, should he post the $1 million bail, including house arrest.
"You are on total lockdown," Judge Ruiz-Cohen forcefully said. "You are not to leave your house. Do you understand this?" Guillen answered "Yes."
Guillen will also not be allowed to drive, drink, and must surrender his passport if he makes bail.
Guillen will seek to have his bond lowered at a hearing 9:30 Thursday morning at the Richard Gerstein Justice Building.
Cease, Kaely's great uncle, said the family is urging friends, relatives and members of the public to attend the hearing in opposition to Guillen's release.
"The drinking and driving and speed, it's a horrible situation," Cease said. "It has broken up this family terribly and has shattered the lives of so many people."
According to the police report, Guillen was driving south on the busway of U.S. 1, which is not authorized for civilian vehicles.
Guillen was allegedly driving roughly 100 miles per hour down the U.S. 1 busway when he hit the left side of the Camacho's van, according to the report.
After hitting the van, Guillen's Land Rover then hit a tree, spun five times, and then finally stopped nearly 400 feet away from the original collision, the police report stated.
Guillen was quickly arrested and told police without being asked that he was driving his wife's land rover when the crash happened, according to police.
Multiple police officers and a Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Lieutenant said they smelled alcohol on Guillen's breath. Police then drew blood to find out the blood alcohol content, the results are not yet back.
One source close to the investigation told CBS4 News, "anyone within six feet of the subject could smell the booze on him" the morning of the collision.
Defense attorney Lehr cautioned against a "rush to judgment, because we know how wrong that can end up to be."
Lehr declined to say where his client had been the night before and in the wee hours leading up to the accident.
A source close to the investigation told CBS4 News that in interviews with police, Guillen admitted to have been "drinking hard liquor" before the crash.
Camacho and her sister 16-year old sister Breeann were in their father's minivan when Guillen slammed into them at U.S. 1 and SW 184th Street. Kaely was airlifted to Jackson Memorial Hospital where she died. Her dad Kirk and Breeann, who were also injured, survived.
The owner of the land rover, Dolores Gordon, said Guillen was the only person allowed to drive the SUV and he was given the keys when she left town the Wednesday before the accident.
The bond court appearance came on the same day that Kaely was laid to rest.
Scores of family and friends gathered Wednesday for her burial service at Caballero Woodlawn South.
Kaely's grandfather, Raffie Camacho, told reporters he knows she is "in heaven."
"She was so beautiful, she was so active," Camacho said. "She was our little baby. She's gone now, but we know we will join her one day with the Lord."
Tuesday evening a memorial service was held at Christ Fellowship Church. Many of the 13 and 14-year friends and Southwood Middle School classmates of Kaely's who attended the service wore blue because it was her favorite color.
"It's just so hard to understand why something like this would happen, and why to someone like her," said her classmate Spencer Elmsly.
The family has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to:
M.A.D.D. Dade County
7700 N Kendall Drive
Suite 803
Miami, FL 33156
