PALMETTO BAY, Fla. – Family members and friends gathered Tuesday to celebrate the life of 13-year-old Kaely Camacho, who died in a crash Friday morning that police said was caused by a drunken driver.
"She was very nice and sweet, and she was just very funny. Like when you were in the room with her it was just full of happiness and joy. Like, there was no way to be sad," said friend Deandre Leatherbury.
"She was always a happy person. Just her smile brightens your day," said Anishka Morales, a classmate who had known Kaely since the third grade.
Sandor Guillen, 38, of Coral Gables, was booked into the Miami-Dade County Jail on Tuesday afternoon after being released from a hospital. Miami-Dade police believe he was speeding and under the influence of alcohol when he drove his SUV on the Busway and crashed into a van carrying Kaely, her father and her older sister, at U.S. 1 and Southwest 184th Street.
Miami-Dade police said Guillen ran away from the crash site, but officers were able to take him into custody. He faces charges of DUI manslaughter, vehicular homicide, leaving the scene of a crash involving death, leaving the scene of a crash involving great bodily injuries and driving without a license at the time of a crash involving death.
Guillen had two prior arrests, on both of which the state decided not to proceed with prosecution. In April 2010, he was charged with battery and disorderly intoxication, and in December 2008, he was charged with battery.
Guillen is being held on $42,000 bond. Kaely's family members said they are concerned that if Guillen, who is from Nicaragua, makes bail, he will flee the U.S.
Kaely was a dancer and a cheerleader and enjoyed spending time with family members and friends.
According to the pastor, about 1,900 people attended at Tuesday evening's ceremony for Kaely. A visitors' viewing was set for 6 p.m., followed by a service at 7 p.m., both at Christ Fellowship Church at 8900 SW 168th St. in Palmetto Bay. The funeral and burial will be held Wednesday at 1pm at Caballero Woodlawn South, 11655 SW 117 Ave., Miami 33186. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked for donations to the M.A.D.D. Dade County, 7700 N. Kendall Drive, Suite 803, Miami 33156.