New Year's Eve Tragedy in Florida Lake
A 73-year-old woman is facing serious charges after she allegedly drove her car into a lake while drunk, resulting in the death of her 69-year-old best friend. The incident, which occurred on New Year's Eve last year in Hialeah Gardens, Florida, has left a family devastated.
Julia Vega was behind the wheel when her vehicle crashed through a wire fence near an apartment complex and plunged into the lake. Elsa Pintor, her passenger and close friend, was unable to escape the sinking car and died.
Body Camera Footage Reveals Disturbing Aftermath
Subsequently released body camera footage from the police captures the immediate aftermath of the tragic event. In the video, a disoriented Vega can be heard asking an officer, 'Did my friend die?'
Officers on the scene reported that Vega's speech was slurred and her eyes were bloodshot. They also noted that she stumbled on flat ground after being pulled over. When informed she was being tested for driving under the influence (DUI), Vega protested, stating, 'I'm not drunk, we only had wine at Cooper's Hawk.'
As officers conducted a field sobriety test, Vega expressed her frustration, questioning why she was being detained for so long and in public view.
Legal Limit Exceeded and Medication Found
After allegedly failing the field tests, authorities obtained a warrant for a blood test. The results indicated that Vega's blood alcohol level was nearly double the legal limit for the state of Florida.
Further testing also uncovered that she was taking Alprazolam, an anti-anxiety medication also known as Xanax, at the time of the incident.
Surveillance footage of the crash, obtained by NBC Miami, showed the car rolling slowly towards a fence before suddenly accelerating, breaking through the barrier, and entering the water.
According to police records, Vega managed to escape through the driver's side window. An officer used a rope to pull her from the lake, but Pintor tragically remained trapped inside the vehicle.
A Family Torn Apart by Tragedy
Court records reveal a heartbreaking family connection. Vega's daughter and Pintor's son are married and have children together, making the victim and the accused both best friends and grandmothers to the same grandchildren.
Julia Vega has pleaded not guilty to the charges of DUI manslaughter and vehicular homicide. Her attorney, Hilton Napoleon, released a statement calling the incident a 'devastating loss to the family' and asking for thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
