A 23-year-old man was taken into custody this week in Miami-Dade County, accused of driving under the influence last month, resulting in a crash that claimed the life of a 14-year-old Cuban teenager. Bryan Arturo Báez-Martínez, a resident of Naranja, was apprehended on Wednesday, May 14, and booked at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center (TGKCC). He faces numerous charges, including vehicular homicide due to reckless driving, DUI manslaughter, and driving without a license.
The tragic incident occurred at approximately 9:30 p.m. on April 12 at the intersection of Naranja Lakes Boulevard and SW 143rd Court. Báez-Martínez was driving a 2006 Ford Escape without a Florida license plate, with the young passenger, Yansay Delgado Fernández, a Cuban teenager who had immigrated just nine months prior, sitting in the front seat.
Details of the Accident
According to authorities, the driver failed to navigate a curve, veered off the road, skidded over 220 feet, and collided with a metal guardrail, causing the vehicle to flip onto its roof. The victim, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was ejected from the vehicle through the front window and tragically died at the scene after his head struck the railing, as determined by emergency services.
Delgado Fernández, originally from Sagua la Grande, Villa Clara, had moved to the United States just nine months before the accident. His family initiated a GoFundMe campaign to cover the funeral expenses.
Evidence of Intoxication
Officers on the scene noted that Báez-Martínez exhibited clear signs of intoxication: red, watery eyes, slurred speech, and a strong odor of alcohol. Although he refused to perform sobriety tests at the scene, he later agreed to provide a blood sample. The analysis, conducted three hours after the crash, showed a blood alcohol level of 0.065, below Florida’s legal limit of 0.08. However, investigators believe his blood alcohol level was higher at the time of the accident.
"The totality of the evidence demonstrates that the subject was driving under the influence and at a recklessly high speed at night, well above the permissible limit," states the report cited by Telemundo. "His decision to drive at such speed represents a willful disregard for the safety of others on the road."
Legal Proceedings and Immigration Status
Surveillance footage captured Báez-Martínez and the teenager leaving an apartment complex just two minutes before the crash. During his appearance in bond court on Thursday, May 15, a judge set his bail at $100,001 and prohibited him from driving. Additionally, Báez-Martínez is subject to an immigration detainer issued by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Questions About the Fatal Crash in Miami
What charges is Bryan Arturo Báez-Martínez facing?
Báez-Martínez is facing multiple charges, including vehicular homicide due to reckless driving, DUI manslaughter, and driving without a license.
What was the blood alcohol level of Báez-Martínez?
A blood test conducted three hours after the crash indicated a blood alcohol level of 0.065, below the legal limit in Florida, but it's believed the level was higher at the time of the accident.
How did the accident occur?
The driver failed to navigate a curve, veered off the road, skidded over 220 feet, and crashed into a metal guardrail, causing the vehicle to overturn.