Driver Charged With DUI Manslaughter In Weekend Crash
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – A driver who police say was involved in not one but two accidents over the weekend, one of which was deadly, appeared before a judge Monday afternoon.
During 25-year old Nicole Menendez's bond hearing, a police testified that she admitted to being a recovering addict and reportedly said she had taken prescription drugs and drank alcohol before Saturday's accidents,
The officer also pointed out that she had a breathalyzer result of .067 hours after the deadly crash.
"Defendant was on numerous substances that resulted in death of a 27-year-old man," the prosecutor told the judge.
At the state's request, Menendez's bond amount was increased to $30,000. If she posts bail, the judge said she would have to be fitted with a tracking bracelet and she would not be able to drive.
Around noon Menendez, a preschool teacher at Raggedy Ann & Andy's Pre-School, was reportedly involved in an accident when making a turn from SW 147th Avenue onto Sunset Drive near Kendall. She "sideswiped a white or grey passenger van, lost control of her vehicle and left the area at a high rate of speed," according to her arrest affidavit.
As she passed SW 139th, police said she slammed into the rear of a Hyundai. On impact, the Hyundai's driver accelerated and lost control. The car spun out of control into the median where it struck a large tree on the driver's side.
"He was dead as soon as he hit the tree," said Mark Nagy who lives nearby. "I ran around the other side of the car to see if anyone else was in the car maybe a kid in the backseat but there was nobody else but him."
Arriving officers noted Menendez had 'glossy watery eyes and a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage'.
Menendez has been charged with Driving Under the Influence, DUI manslaughter and DUI with property damage.
