Mom Who Lost Son In Hit & Run Speaks Out After Accused Driver Appears In Court

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FT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) – The mother who lost her 4-year-old son in a tragic hit-and-run accident is speaking out after the accused driver appeared in court Friday.

"It was very painful for my soul," said Natali Alja'ouni.

Alja'ouni's head is healed, but not her heart.

"They told me my baby died," she recalls. "I thought I was dreaming."

She deeply misses her 4-year-old son Abdallah who police say was killed by an out of control driver.

In March 2014, 21-year-old Andrew Perez was reportedly speeding along Pine Island Road when he lost control and went up onto the sidewalk, hitting 37-year old Natali Munzer Alja'ouni and her two children. The state says Perez was doing 80 mph to 83 mph, in a 45 mph speed zone, at the time of the accident. Perez said his client was doing about 70 mph.

Alja'ouni and her children were taken to Broward Health Medical Center where Abdallah was pronounced dead.

Alja'ouni suffered a fractured skull and spent months recovering. Ahmad spent ten days in the hospital.

Having Ahmad eases her pain, but she thinks everyday about the child she lost.

"I still miss him," she told CBS4's Joan Murray.

Perez remained at the scene of the accident for police to arrive. Investigators said at the time of the accident, Perez had cannabis in his system.

Nearly two years after the accident, Perez turned himself in to police. He's charged with vehicular homicide and reckless driving.

On Friday morning, he appeared before a judge.

During his court appearance, Perez's attorney told the judge his client should be granted bond.

"Mr. Perez has been fully cooperative with law enforcement, with anything he's needed to do," said defense attorney Adam Rosen. "There's absolutely no flight risk."

Broward Circuit Judge John "Jay" Hurley agreed and set bond at $50,000. He also said Perez was allowed to work but was not allowed to drive.

Perez's family and friends, who were in the courtroom for the hearing, said he's a good guy and he made a mistake.

Alja'ouni and her husband are not vengeful people, but they think mistake or not, Perez should serve some time for the death of their son.

"Punishment won't bring back my son," Alja'ouni says, "I want to protect another family."

If convicted, Perez faces a prison sentence of 14-21 years.