Woman Accused Of Hit And Run Held On $100,000 Bond
Follow CBSMIAMI.COM: Facebook | Twitter
MIAMI BEACH (CBSMiami) – A young woman police say slammed her Mercedes Benz into two federal agents on Miami Beach then drove off faced a judge for the first time Saturday in bond court.
Attorneys for the State came down pretty hard, worried 21-year old Jordana Rosales might try to leave the country if she gets out of jail.
"Good morning Ms. Rosales," said Miami-Dade Criminal Courts Judge Stacy Glick. "You're being charged with leaving the scene of a crash with serious bodily injury."
Rosales is accused of a hit and run accident Friday that put two homeland security agents in the hospital, one of them in critical condition.
State prosecutors meant business, asking Judge Glick to increase Rosales's bond from the standard $7,500 in a hit and run to a steep $100,000.
"The offense in itself shows a certain lack of responsibility and willingness to step forward when one is involved in a collision," explained the prosecution.
And because the American-born Rosales's parents are from Honduras the prosecution went even further.
"If Honduras considers her a citizen, if she gets to Honduras they will not extradite to the United States for any offense," he told the judge.
He also pointed out Rosales has a wealthy uncle with a multi-million dollar business. "So we are asking for a $100,000 bond in addition an ankle bracelet, house arrest and surrender of passport."
Miami Beach police say Rosales was driving a 2015 E-250 Mercedes Benz at about 2 a.m. Friday morning.
They believe they have video of the Benz speeding south on Collins Avenue just before slamming into two men hailing a cab at Espanola Way.
The men were Special Agents on Homeland Security business. Rescue crews rushed both to Jackson Memorial Hospital. One had a broken leg. The other had life-threatening injuries and was in critical condition.
"I do find probable cause and I am going to set $100,000 bond," said Judge Glick. "She must surrender all travel documents before she is released on the bond. I am going to require her to wear a GPS monitor."
An attorney representing Rosales agreed to most of the State's asks, but argued the $100,000 bond was just too high.
"She's a student at FIU, she's in her junior year and she's on financial aid," explained Rosales's attorney. "Again, our big concern is that she is not going to be to bond out with this $100,000 bond. This 21 year old girl is gonna be stuck in there."
"According to the arrest affidavit she's driving an E250 Mercedes," pointed out the judge. "A 2015 Mercedes. So, I don't know how limited her means are."
The state pointed out if the agent who is in critical condition does not survive Rosales will likely face more charges.
For now she remained at Turner Gilford Knight Correction Center in Miami-Dade on $100,000 bond.
If Rosales gets out she must wear an ankle monitor, she will be on house arrest paying a dollar a day in fees, she can't drive, can only go to school and must turn in her passport.