Exclusive: More Evidence Surfacing On Social Media Of Alleged Wrong Way Driver

CORAL SPRINGS (CBSMiami) - More evidence is surfacing on a social media site of the lifestyle of the suspected wrong way driver who investigators say hit and killed two women on the Sawgrass Expressway last month.

On the social media app, Vine, there are several videos of Kaila Mendoza. One is titled "Wake n Bake" and shows smoke and people coughing. Another video titled "Beer" shows Mendoza drinking a Bud Light Platinum. Mendoza's boyfriend, Federico Javier Reyes confirmed to CBS 4 News during an interview last week that Mendoza is the woman in the videos.

Reyes said he can see how the community would be outraged after seeing the videos along with Mendoza's infamous "2 drunk 2 care" tweet from just hours before the wrong way crash that killed Marisa Catronio and Kaitlyn Ferrante on November 17.

"Some make the choices of putting it on social medias and some don't," Reyes said. "It's unfortunate that she did and I completely understand that."

CBS 4 News showed the videos to Gary Catronio -- Marisa's father. He didn't want to comment on them directly but he said the images are not anything he would want his children associated with.

"The way that we brought our kids up and the way that we were brought up, we don't condone alcohol or drugs of any type," Reyes said.

A friend of the Catronio's was more direct in his assessment of the videos.

"Just total irresponsibility as a human being," said Mark Ferrari. "There's an arrogance in those videos."

Reyes knows that many people have made up their minds about his girlfriend, Kaila Mendoza, based on her seemingly callous tweets and her suspected involvement in a deadly wrong way crash. But Reyes says that to him and her friends, Mendoza is about much more.

"She is a warm -- like I said -- hard-working, energetic, lovable person," Reyes said.

The Florida Highway Patrol suspects that Mendoza was driving the wrong way when she slammed into a car with Catronio and Ferrante inside. Catronio died on the scene while Kaitlyn succumbed days later. Before the crash, Mendoza tweeted "2 drunk 2 care." Reyes says the tweet was directed at him because the couple was in the midst of an argument.

"I understand how anyone looking outside would interpret it because I see that but what people don't understand is that tweet was directed toward me," Reyes told CBS 4's Carey Codd. "2 drunk 2 care" about my feelings, about me being a little possessive, jealous."

Reyes told CBS 4 News that he doesn't know if Mendoza was drinking. He says he got off work early on November 16th and planned to surprise her at home and was upset she was out with friends. He also said he didn't know that Mendoza did not have a driver's license. He wouldn't comment on the investigation into the crash but he believes Mendoza's tweet was taken out of context.

"The way the news manipulated her tweet was not only senile but grotesque, malevolent," he said. "There's really no word that can describe what that tweet did to her life."

But it's what Mendoza is suspected to have done to the members of the Catronio and Ferrante families that could leave her facing serious criminal charges.

"I'm extremely sorry," he said. "I'm extremely sorry. At least I got to see her again. I can't fathom that thought of you guys not being able to see them again. And I know that's heart-wrenching and I know it's hard as hell."

A Florida Highway Patrol report obtained by CBS 4 News shows that Mendoza operated her car in an "erratic, reckless or aggressive manner" and she is suspected to have been using alcohol. She was tested for both alcohol and drugs.
A witness told CBS 4 News that Mendoza was driving the wrong way for several miles and narrowly avoided hitting at least 20 cars and trucks.

The families of Marisa Catronio and Kaitlyn Ferrante are struggling to survive their grief. In an interview earlier this week, Gary Catronio said he is determined to see changes on the entrances and exits to highways in order to prevent another family from suffering the way his family and the Ferrante family have suffered.

"It's very important so that families don't have to go through what we did," he said. "I will never see grandchildren from my daughter. Do you understand that? Never."

The Florida Highway Patrol says they continue to investigate all aspects of this crash and no charges have been filed at this point. We're told the investigation could take several months.

Reyes said Mendoza has a blood clot on her brain and her stepfather told CBS 4 News that doctors fear she might have suffered brain damage. Reyes said Mendoza also has two badly broken legs. Reyes says he plans to be there for Mendoza when she eventually leaves the hospital.

"I'm still going to stand by her because I love her with all of my heart," Reyes said.

Reyes admits that the photos of marijuana and tweets about drinking and drugs do not cast Mendoza in the best light. But he says there is much more to the 20-year-old like her desire to become a teacher and her success at her job and in school. He does not believe Mendoza has a substance abuse problem.

"Those are past and that's what we were leaving behind us," he said. "That's what we were trying to leave behind us. It catched (sic) up to us."

The victim's families continue to hold fundraisers to try and raise money to pay for the victims' funerals. The families have set up accounts

The Florida Highway Patrol says they continue to investigate all aspects of this crash and no charges have been filed at this point.