A Florida woman is in jail after police say she fatally struck a pedestrian before driving away and then attempted to minimize her actions by claiming the victim was “just a homeless person.”
According to court records, Ivana Gomez, 32, is charged with leaving the scene of a fatal crash and resisting an officer without violence. She is being held at the Miami-Dade County Jail on a bond of $251,500.
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According to a probable cause arrest affidavit, the accident happened around 1:15 a.m. on Friday in Miami’s Little Havana neighborhood. The victim was identified as Katherine Kipnis, 41. During a bond hearing on Saturday, prosecutors claimed that Gomez’s BMW “hit the victim so hard that the victim’s head went into the vehicle, through the windshield, and some of the victim’s hair got caught on the passenger’s seat belt.”
According to the affidavit, a police officer witnessed the crash and attempted to stop Gomez, but she refused to stop. She allegedly continued to drive until she was slowed by traffic. When the cop caught up with her, he smelled alcohol on her breath and noticed her bloodshot eyes. The affidavit also stated that vomit was found in the passenger seat.
She declined to take a sobriety test and asked to speak with an attorney.
The judge reportedly stated during the bond hearing that Gomez claimed it was “just a homeless person that I hit” and “it’s just an accident.”
Gomez denied making the statement.
“Your Honor, I never said that,” she reportedly stated. “That is not what I said. That is false.”
Kipnis’ cousin spoke at the hearing.
“I just want Your Honor to be aware of what a shining light has been taken out of this world by the incredible irresponsibility of this defendant,” Rachel Kipnis told the judge.
The victim’s father spoke with the local ABC affiliate WPLG on Friday.
“My daughter was vivacious and lovable. Everyone really liked her. “She was tough in a good way,” he told the outlet. “I just remember talking to her last night at 6 p.m., and she told me, ‘I love you, Dad.'” That was the final thing she said to me.”
Prosecutors say Gomez may face additional charges, including vehicular homicide, after further investigation.
