A 32-year-old woman has been arrested in connection with a hit-and-run crash in Miami’s Little Havana area that killed another woman on Friday morning, authorities said. According to Miami police, the incident occurred shortly before 1:15 a.m. at Southwest 22nd Avenue and Seventh Street.
Officers arrived at the site and discovered that Katherine Kipnis, 41, had been hit by a vehicle.
The driver, Ivana Gomez of Miami, fled the scene, and Kipnis was pronounced dead by Miami Fire Rescue, according to investigators.
Witnesses recalled the devastating moment they heard a loud crash and went outside to see Kipnis lying on the street.
“I saw the body, and the police had the area shut down,” said Irma Estrada, a neighbor.
According to Gomez’s arrest report, she was driving a blue 2019 BMW 330i westbound on Southwest Seventh Street when an officer pulled her over.
According to police, the officer accelerated to catch up with the automobile and watched the hit-and-run crash.
According to the report, the officer engaged his vehicle’s lights and sirens, but Gomez did not stop.
According to police, she eventually came to a halt at a red light because two other vehicles were in front of her.
According to the report, the officer approached Gomez’s car’s driver’s side door and detected a significant stench of alcohol on Gomez’s breath.
Police reported that she also had bloodshot, runny eyes.
According to the investigation, Kipnis was struck with such force that a part of her hair became buried in the windshield, and some hair was found on the front passenger headrest.
The front of the vehicle had also experienced “extremely heavy damage,” according to the report.
Police claimed Gomez declined to take a field sobriety test and demanded a counsel.
According to the report, she suddenly stated, “It was just a homeless person that I hit, and it is just an accident.”
Kipnis was remembered by her father, Daniel Kipnis, who spoke with Local 10 News via phone shortly after her passing.
“My daughter was vibrant and lovable. Everyone truly liked her. She was tough, but in a nice manner,” he explained. “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 spoke to me.” ‘
Gomez was detained on allegations of fleeing the scene of a fatal crash and resisting an officer without using violence. A driving under the influence accusation is also awaiting the findings of a toxicology report.
Gomez remained at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center on Friday, with her bond noted as “to be set.”
Reference: Police: Woman killed in hit-and-run crash in Miami; driver arrested