Toxicology Report Released In Teen Driver's Deadly Crash
MIAMI – (CBSMiami.com) – A recently released toxicology report shows the University of Miami student involved in a deadly accident in Coral Gables had nearly triple the legal limit of alcohol in her system.
Coral Gables Police, who collected the blood sample shortly after the 4 a.m. accident that killed a grandmother on October 2nd, revealed Ivanna Villanueva's blood alcohol level was .231 – nearly three times the legal limit of .08.
The state attorney's office said "any driver with a reading over the .08 level is charged with DUI," according to Miami-Dade state attorney's office spokesman Ed Griffith.
The accident that occurred at the intersection of LeJeune Road and Majorca Avenue killed 68-year-old Eyder Ayala. Police say Villanueva was driving at a high rate of speed when she slammed into Ayala's car.
Ayala, a mother to five and grandmother to seven, died at the scene.
Ayala's son-in-law Anwar Sadeek reacted to the findings. "I've heard about this report and I am trying to find out more about it. I am very concerned."
Soon after the accident, Sadeek told CBS4, "We don't know why this had to happen to someone like this, someone who was good to everyone. She was an awesome person. That's the hardest part of this."
Other family members also expressed their grief.
"We don't have her anymore. We are not going to see her anymore. We are not going to feel her kisses, her hugs," said Brenda Vazquez, Ayala's daughter. "I think she was the most valuable person in our family."
Ayala's family said they got worried when she didn't come home from work at the McDonalds at SW 42nd Avenue and 9th Street where she's worked for more than 20 years as a manager.
Ayala's family is now trying to come to grips with the reality that their hard working mother and grandmother is gone.
Prosecutors revealed during Villanueva's bond hearing that she was in possession of several fake IDs, which she used to gain entrance to LIV nightclub at the Fontainebleau Hotel.
Ayala's family has sued Villanueva and her father, saying he is liable for her conduct.
The multi-million dollar lawsuit says she was "speeding, negligent and reckless."
"We want to find out where she was drinking and who allowed a 19-year-old into their club and why this happened," said Carlos Silva, Ayala's family attorney.
The Villanueva family released this statement shortly after the accident:
The Villanueva family is exceedingly saddened by the events of this past Sunday [October 2nd] and Ivanna Villanueva is grief stricken over the tragic accident. Everyone in the family wishes to convey their deepest sympathies to the Ayala family at this very, very sad time. Our thoughts and prayers are with them.
Villanueva, 19, is currently under house arrest and she is allowed to continue to attend classes at the University of Miami pending her trial. Her arraignment is set for November 1st before Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Milton Hirsch.
Villanueva's attorney Joaquin Perez was not immediately available for comment.