Nicole Menendez is reported to be the cause of a deadly Miami Car Crash on Saturday, March 2, 2013.  Nicole Menendez crashed into a mini-van near the intersection of Sunset Drive and 147th Avenue, lost control of her vehicle and then fled the scene while driving recklessly swerving in and out of lanes.  Only a few blocks down the road her vehicle crashed into the rear of a different car.  The impact caused that driver to accelerate out of control and slammed into a tree killing the driver.

CBS News has reported that Ms. Menendez is a preschool teacher and a recovering addict.  According to the news, she is alleged to have admitted taking prescription drugs, taken cocaine, consumed alcohol prior to the crash, had glassy eyes and the smell of alcohol on her breath at the scene of this Miami Car Crash.  She was release from jail with a $30,000.00 bond.  Police have reported that a breathalyzer taken hours after the crash showed a blood alcohol content of .067.  This amount is below the legal limit to drive.  However, I am sure there will be discussion regarding the delay in taking the breathalyzer and what her blood alcohol content was at the time of the collision several hours earlier.  To her credit, Ms. Menendez stayed on the scene after the fatal accident and apparently cooperated with police investigators.  She has been charged with DUI Manslaughter and Vehicular Homicide.

There will likely be civil ramifications for Ms. Menendez in addition to the criminal charges.  She will likely face a Wrongful Death lawsuit.  According to the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles there were 33,625 DUI convictions in Florida in 2011.  The Florida DMV also reported that there were 2,274 DUI convictions in Miami-Dade County alone in 2010.

As a Miami Car Accident Lawyer and Miami Wrongful Death Lawyer, Jeffrey S. Altman of The Altman Law Firm deals with Miami Car Accident tragedies like this nearly every day.  Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the man who lost his life because of this Miami Drunk Driving Accident.  The Altman Law Firm represents victims of Catastrophic Personal Injury and Traumatic Brain Injury and surviving family members of Wrongful Death victims throughout the State of Florida.  Our office is in Miami just minutes away from North Miami, North Miami Beach, Miami Shores, Aventura and South Beach.  For a Free Consultation contact Jeffrey S. Altman at 305.373.3730 or Toll Free 24/7 at 888.991.ATTY.