Woman who fatally ran over mother of MS-13 victim on Long Island sentenced to probation
RIVERHEAD, N.Y. - The woman who pleaded guilty to fatally running over the mother of an MS-13 gang victim on Long Island was sentenced Tuesday.
Ann Marie Drago, 63, of Patchogue, was sentenced to five years probation for criminally negligent homicide, despite the district attorney recommending up to three years in prison.
Drago hit and killed anti-gang activist Evelyn Rodriguez in 2018 during a dispute over a memorial for Rodriguez's daughter, 16-year-old Kayla Cuevas, to mark two years since her murder at the hands of MS-13 gang members.
Drago was trying to sell her mother's house at the time and didn't want the memorial to scare off buyers. She was accused of trashing the memorial hours before a vigil was planned there. Freddy Cuevas and Rodriguez angrily confronted Drago about it in her car, and she allegedly stepped on the accelerator, killing Rodriguez. Drago's defense in previous trials called it a tragic accident.
"We didn't get the justice"
Drago showed no emotion in court, and said nothing as family members wept in court.
"We didn't get the justice that we was looking for, as far as that's considered," Cuevas said. "Her getting probation, that's like a slap on the hand."
Freddy Cuevas and Rodriguez's two living daughters sobbed while facing Drago in court.
"I will never forgive you for what you did," Kaitlyn said.
"There will still be no peace in me or my family's heart," Kelsey said.
"I just felt sorrow for my daughters because of the pain they are going through," Freddy Cuevas said. "Evelyn was considered a great advocate for the community."
"She's going to be free. She's going to be living her life, but judgment day will come one day," Cuevas added.
Rodriguez became a symbol in fight against MS-13
Rodridguez became a symbol in the fight against MS-13 gang violence after her daughter's death. At the time, former President Donald Trump visited Brentwood, and vowed a crackdown on gangs. Rodriguez was invited to his State of the Union Address in 2018.
Drago was tried twice in connection with Rodriguez's death. One guilty verdict was overturned. The second trial ended in a hung jury. The court, in imposing the sentence, inferred Drago had suffered enough.
Drago's supporters say this was a tragic accident. They say "after a long and painful court saga, the settlement was fair," adding that Drago is filled with remorse.