Nearly 19 years after a woman was fatally struck in a Hialeah crash, authorities have arrested the suspect who fled the state, according to jail records.
The suspect, Leydis Menendez Abdala, 52, faces charges of vehicular homicide in a reckless manner and DUI manslaughter, Miami-Dade jail records show.
Authorities say the incident occurred on Aug. 12, 2006, when Gloria Marcia Hall was driving and stopped at a red light on 68th Street. As she proceeded, she was hit by a vehicle whose driver failed to remain at the scene. Hall died at the location, while Abdala was airlifted to Jackson Memorial Hospital.
In documents reviewed by investigators, Abdala had signed a statement admitting impairment while operating the vehicle, officials said. On Sept. 10 of that year, she fled Florida and went to Mexico.
Federal Marshals eventually apprehended Abdala and returned her to U.S. custody. During a recent court appearance, prosecutors revealed that a blood sample was drawn at the time of the crash, and a warrant had been issued seeking its analysis. Officials also mentioned Abdala was in a relationship with someone at the Hialeah Police Department, who allegedly warned her about the blood test—prompting her flight from the country.
Miami Police Commander Joaquin Freire, Hall’s brother, asked the judge to deny bond. The judge granted a continuance to Monday to allow prosecutors to file a motion seeking pretrial detention. Abdala remains in custody and will appear in court again as scheduled.
