Watch CBS News

CBS4 Exclusive: Warrants Show Drivers In Deadly Crash Under Criminal Investigation

Follow CBSMIAMI.COM: Facebook | Twitter

DEERFIELD BEACH (CBSMiami) – The parents of a 6-year-old girl who died in a horrific traffic crash last May are demanding answers and justice.

Keydy Estrada and Jose Meza reacted to pair of Broward Sheriff's Office search warrants uncovered by CBS4 News that show both drivers involved in a deadly Deerfield Beach crash on May 23rd are under investigation.

Ruby Meza, 6, died and her two brothers suffered injuries as well as another child, 11.

Ruby Meza
Ruby Meza, 6, died in a violent crash in Deerfield Beach. (Source: Keydy Estrada)

"When this happens to someone, no one ever stays okay," Estrada told CBS 4's Carey Codd, "knowing I'll never see my child again."

In the search warrant focused on the driver of Meza's car, CBS4 learned that detectives say Shirley Coto – who investigators say didn't have a license – was driving a Nissan owned by a neighbor.

Inside were Coto's daughter as well as Ruby and her two siblings.

BSO says Coto bought liquor at a store earlier in the day and admitted drinking with a friend, then after picking up the kids bought more liquor.

BSO added Coto "…drove (the car) while under the influence of Alcohol and over the legal limit. Coto drove the children from the elementary school to a liquor store and left the children unattended in the running vehicle while she went into the liquor store to purchase more alcohol. While Coto had the insight to put on her seatbelt she neglected to fasten the seatbelts of all four children."

Deerfield Crash
The Broward Sheriff's Office says four children and a woman injured in a serious crash were taken to Broward Health Medical Center.(Source: CBS4)

Then, the crash happened.

The search warrant also focused on the other driver. The warrant states witnesses and evidence recovered show the driver of a Ford Ranger pickup truck ran a red light.

The document read: "The witness advised that the light was red for about five seconds when (the truck) skidded past them at a high rate of speed and crashed into the passenger side of (the car.)"

Ruby died, her brother Christian suffered extensive injuries as did another sibling and Coto's own daughter. Ruby's parents say Coto blamed the other driver and never apologized.

"She no come here and say, 'Sorry, Jose.' She say, '(BLEEP) you,'" said Jose Meza.

Keydy Estrada believes whoever was at fault should be held accountable, including Coto.

Estrada says Coto was not supposed to be driving the children.

"I've asked myself why hasn't she gone to jail?" Estrada said. "Because it's a death. Another child almost died. I feel bad in the sense that she's free and I will never see my daughter again because of her."

Coto has not been charged at this point, but the investigation into what happened in the crash remains open, according to the Broward Sheriff's Office.

The search warrant says Coto is being investigated for aggravated manslaughter of a child.

CBS4 tried to find her, but was told that she recently moved and we were unable to locate her.

The other search warrant says the other driver, Marcelo Verly, is being investigated for vehicular homicide and reckless driving. He has not been charged at this point, either.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.