Woman Arrested For Drunk Driving Crash That Injured Principal Bonds Out
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- The woman connected to a DUI crash that injured a South Dade High School principal is out on bail after being arrested earlier in the day.
Covering her head with a pink sweater, 51-year-old Marilyn Aguilera left jail after posting her $15,000 bond.
"Right now she has no comment obviously she's devastated by what happened tonight and what happened on the scene," said a man walking out with her by his side.
The arrest report states Aguilera was arrested without incident at her apartment in Southwest Miami-Dade.
"I'm glad. Justice was served this day," said high school senior Christian Lechuga. "I'm glad that the police department sent out a clear message that you can't be doing things like that."
She is charged with DUI and causing serious bodily injury to South Dade Senior High School Principal Javier Perez.
"Her life is ruined too, but it is he out doing, you know, that gentleman, the principal had nothing to do with it. He was just minding his business coaching – all of a sudden the car comes and destroys his life," said Ronnie Jaramillo.
Students CBS4's Peter D'Oench spoke with are grateful an arrest has been made.
"I feel she deserved to get arrested for driving under the influence. She deserved to be put in jail," said 11th grader Christian Colado.
Colado echoes the sentiments of high school students D'Oench spoke with about the arrest of Aguilera.
Miami-Dade police said she was driving drunk April 26th when her silver GMC SUV went out of control on SW 117th Avenue and struck three people: 39-year-old Ileana Salort-Horta, 74-year-old Elias Espinoza and 43-year-old Perez.
Perez was coaching his 5-year-old son's youth baseball game at Tamiami Park.
"I think it's good for now. At least he will not do it to anyone else. Most of my teachers had been crying every day," said another 11th grader, Kayla Quintero.
There are strong feelings about this case among students at the Southwest Miami High School. It's where one of the blood drives was held for Perez.
He was struck and pinned under the SUV and his legs had to be amputated. A GoFundMe page has raised more than $132,000 to cover his medical expenses.
"I think it was right. She shouldn't have been driving while drunk. It was right that she go to jail," said Kevin Machado, a 9th grader.
Police said Aguilera's blood alcohol level measured at .227 which is more than three times the legal limit.
According to the arrest report from the day of the accident, the arresting officer noted that she smelled like liquor, her face was flushed and her speech was mumbled.
When police checked her SUV, according to the arrest warrant, cops found a large open can of beer on the floorboard of the passenger side seat next to her purse. They say the carpet was soaked with a beer.
But some of the more shocking details in the warrant, Aguilera didn't even bother to ask about the people she hit with her SUV.
"I believe the law needs to be very strict with these cases for the people who drink and drive at five in the afternoon," Espinoza told CBS4's Hank Tester after hearing news of Aguilera's arrest.
Records show Aguilera was ticketed 14 times between 2007 and 2013. Citations ranged from improperly backing up to not having proper insurance. She was cited twice for knowingly driving with a suspended license but never convicted of that.
"I think it is about time they did something about it. I do not know why it took so long to finally get arrested," said Doreen DeMarco.
An attorney for Aguilera released a statement.
"Ms. Aguilera was devastated over the events that occurred during that day. There were no winners in this situation. Our hearts and prayers go to the victims in this case."
Perez's family is not commenting on the. He remains in serious condition here in the intensive care unit at Kendall Regional Medical Center.
His wife did release a statement on the GoFundMe page regarding his recovery.
"After a small set back and several tough days, Javi is starting to take a few steps forward. He will have a second trial run off the ventilator today. His hand was operated yesterday and trauma team is confident that it will start healing soon.
More surgeries are ahead and the road to recovery is long and slow. There will be hard days and less painful days, but every day is a good day because Javi is with us.
Please continue praying for Javi and our family. We feel the love and we have seen the prayers answered before our eyes." –Maytee Perez
