Maykoll Santiesteban, a 16-year-old, is facing trial after pleading guilty to a car crash that claimed the lives of three Cuban women in April 2024, as reported by NBC Miami. The tragic event, which left the Hialeah community in shock, occurred when Santiesteban, then only 15, was driving his parents' car without a license at speeds exceeding 80 mph in a 30 mph zone. He collided with an SUV carrying the victims.
The deceased were identified as Yarina García Hernández, aged 39; her aunt Gloria Hernández Molina, aged 71; and Liliana Hernández Molina, aged 66, who was Yarina's mother and Gloria's sister. Liliana succumbed to her injuries five months after the accident.
Santiesteban was arrested and is being tried as an adult, facing charges including three counts of vehicular homicide, reckless driving, and driving without a license causing injury. Initially, he pleaded not guilty, but in February 2025, he changed his plea to guilty. This decision leaves his fate in the hands of the judge presiding over the case.
During the court hearing, the judge informed Santiesteban that he could face up to 65 years in prison. However, the defense is advocating for a more lenient sentence, potentially involving a combination of imprisonment, house arrest, and probation, totaling up to six years under the status of a "juvenile delinquent."
The community and family members of the victims have voiced their grief and demand for justice. Bob García, who lost his wife, daughter, and sister-in-law in the crash, expressed: "The greatest pain in my life is losing my daughter, sister-in-law, and wife. I don't care if they give him a thousand years or three days; what matters to me is that he receives what he deserves because my family and I are the ones serving a life sentence."
Key Questions About the Hialeah Fatal Crash Trial
What charges is Maykoll Santiesteban facing?
Maykoll Santiesteban is facing charges including three counts of vehicular homicide, reckless driving, and driving without a license causing injury.
What is the potential sentence for Santiesteban?
He could face up to 65 years in prison, but there is a possibility of a reduced sentence involving imprisonment, house arrest, and probation.
How did the community react to the incident?
The Hialeah community and the victims' families have expressed profound grief and a strong desire for justice.