Miami Woman Accepts Plea Deal In Deadly DUI Hit And Run Crash, Gets One Year Of Jail And One Year House Arrest
Miami, FL – Back in December 2010, Medelaine Delacaridad Torredemert, 24, struck and killed Fernando Lancito Heria, 25, as he stood by his disabled vehicle, in a safety zone, along the SR 836 Dolphin Expressway near the SR 826 Palmetto Expressway. Investigators alleged Torredemert had been under the influence of alcohol when she crashed into Fernando and fled the scene.
In her March 2012 arraignment, prosecutors asserted claims that Torredemert failed to call 911, instead calling friends in Miami Beach who later came to the site of the accident. A tow truck, fire rescue, and paramedics were present by the time they arrived.
Torredemert has since accepted a plea deal from prosecutors. She will serve one year in jail, one year of monitored house arrest, and remain on probation for 10 years, in relation to charges stemming from one count of DUI/Manslaughter, one count of Vehicular Homicide/Reckless Manner, and another for DUI Manslaughter/Failure To Render Aid.
DUI/Manslaughter is a second degree felony with a fine of not more than $10,000, and up to 15 years imprisonment. DUI Manslaughter/Leaving the Scene is when a driver convicted of DUI/Manslaughter knew an accident occurred and failed to give information or render aid and is therefore guilty of a first degree felony, which is punishable of a fine of not more than $10,000 and up to 30 years imprisonment. Vehicular Homicide/Reckless Manner and Manslaughter/Failure To Render Aid both fall within the same purview of potential punishments.
Fernando’s mother, Beatoiz Heria, screamed, “She’s a murderer! She a murder because she never called 911, never, never, never!” amidst the court hearing, reports CBS Miami Local News.
Torredemert also has pending federal charges against her for credit card skimming, allegedly doing so in order to pay for her defense in this case. According to Florida Statute 817.625 a person who unlawfully uses a scanning or re-encoding device with the intent to defraud is guilty of a third degree felony punishable by no more than five years imprisonment for first offense. For second and subsequent related crimes, the degree of offense increases to a second degree felony punishable by no more than 15 years imprisonment.
Fernando, also known as “Ferny” and “Fernie,” was recognized in the area as an avid cyclist. The community came together and held a group ride in his memory on December 22, 2010, what would have been his 26th birthday.
