A woman in Florida has been arrested after she hit and killed a pedestrian and then drove away without stopping. Ivana Gomez, 32, is now in jail, accused of leaving the scene of a crash that caused a death. Police say she also tried to downplay the incident by saying the victim was “just a homeless person,” although she denies making that statement.
Details of the Accident
The tragic crash happened early Friday morning in Miami’s Little Havana neighborhood around 1:15 a.m. The victim was 41-year-old Katherine Kipnis. According to court papers, Gomez was driving a BMW when she struck Kipnis with such force that the victim’s head hit the car’s windshield, and even some of her hair got caught on the passenger’s seatbelt.
A police officer saw the crash and tried to stop Gomez, but she kept driving until traffic slowed her down. When the officer caught up, he noticed signs that Gomez might have been under the influence of alcohol, like a strong smell of alcohol on her breath, bloodshot eyes, and vomit in the passenger seat.
Gomez refused to take a sobriety test and asked for a lawyer.
Legal Charges and Court Hearing
Gomez is charged with leaving the scene of a crash causing death and resisting an officer without violence. She is held on a $251,500 bond in the Miami-Dade County jail. During her bond hearing, prosecutors said Gomez tried to minimize her actions by claiming the victim was “just a homeless person” and called the crash “just an accident.” Gomez denied ever making those remarks.
Family members of the victim spoke out during the hearing. Katherine Kipnis’ cousin described her as a “shining light” who was taken away because of Gomez’s “incredible irresponsibility.” Kipnis’ father told local news that his daughter was “vivacious” and “lovable” and shared how their last conversation was full of love, making the loss even more painful.
Possible Future Charges
The investigation is still ongoing, and prosecutors say Gomez might face additional charges, including vehicular homicide, depending on new findings.
This tragic case highlights the dangers of drunk driving and the severe consequences of leaving the scene after a fatal accident. It also reminds us how deeply these incidents affect the victims’ families and communities.
