Blood Drives Held To Support Principal Injured In DUI Crash

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MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- Locals continue to come out and hold blood drives to support a South Dade High School principal injured in a DUI crash.

Five blood mobiles lined the school Wednesday and will remain there until 2:30 p.m. The next day, the blood drive will be held from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

The blood drives honor South Dade Senior High School Principal Javier Perez. His wife requested the community give back this way.

"I decided to give blood today so I could save a couple of people's lives," said a student.

"I've actually talked to him a few times. He may not remember because of all the kids.  But I remember him.  He's a great  man.  I really hope he gets better," said Junior Jose Diaz.

"Mister Perez always set the tone that it's about education. From the day the students have come back and do what they need to do.  And the teachers have been professional," said Interim Principal J.C. De Armas.

Doctors were forced to amputate Perez's legs after the crash and he remains in serious condition in the Intensive Care Unit.

Meantime, the woman arrested in the crash is facing charges of DUI and causing serious bodily injury.

Marilyn Aguilera, 51, bonded out of jail Tuesday evening after posting a $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.

According to the arrest report, police arrested Aguilera 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."

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.

He was struck and pinned under the SUV. A GoFundMe page has raised more than $132,000 to cover his medical expenses.

The Perez family has been very private through this ordeal, but his wife Maytee wrote on the fundraising page to help with the mounting medical bills:

"Javi is starting to take a few steps forward.  He will have a second run off the ventilator. His hand was operated on and the trauma team is  confident 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 everyday is a good day because Javi is with us." 

As for Aguilera, she is expected in court in three weeks to be formally charged.