After nearly two decades evading justice, Leydis Menéndez Abdala, a Cuban national, was apprehended on Saturday. She had been on the run for 19 years following her involvement in a tragic accident in Hialeah, Miami, where a woman lost her life.
According to the Miami-Dade jail records, the 52-year-old Abdala is facing charges of vehicular homicide/reckless conduct and manslaughter for driving under the influence of alcohol. Local media outlets have reported these details extensively.
The incident dates back to August 12, 2006, when Abdala ran a red light and hit Gloria Marcia Hall at an intersection on 68th Street around 4 a.m. Miami Police Commander Joaquín Freire, Hall's brother, recounted in an interview that Hall died at the scene after the impact, and Abdala was airlifted to Jackson Memorial Hospital.
At the age of 35, Menéndez Abdala signed a statement admitting sobriety, but fled the hospital soon after. She was warned by Hialeah police about an impending blood test, which prompted her escape to Mexico.
On Friday, Freire attended Abdala's hearing and urged the judge to deny her bail. Abdala remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in court again on Monday.
The police have been pursuing this Cuban woman for years, periodically revisiting her case. In 2023, Freire reflected on the loss, stating, "My sister's name was Gloria M. Hall, 40. She was a loving friend, a beautiful sister, an exceptional daughter, and most importantly, a devoted mother."
He highlighted the tragedy, saying, "My sister was killed on August 12, 2006, by a young woman who ran a red light while driving under the influence, with a blood alcohol level twice the legal limit. The devastating accident occurred as my sister was on her way to church for a retreat. She left behind two young daughters who miss her dearly, and to make matters worse, the young woman responsible has been a fugitive, unseen for a month," he added.
Understanding the Case of Leydis Menéndez Abdala
What charges is Leydis Menéndez Abdala facing?
She is charged with vehicular homicide/reckless conduct and manslaughter for driving under the influence of alcohol.
How did the accident involving Gloria Marcia Hall occur?
The accident happened when Menéndez Abdala ran a red light and struck Gloria Marcia Hall at an intersection on 68th Street in Hialeah, Miami.
Why did Leydis Menéndez Abdala flee after the accident?
She fled after being informed by Hialeah police that they would conduct a blood test, leading her to escape to Mexico.
What has the family of Gloria Marcia Hall said about her death?
Her brother, Commander Joaquín Freire, expressed that Hall was a loving friend, a devoted mother, and a significant loss to her family.