FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Latoya Hayes faced a Broward County judge Friday following her arrest on numerous charges in connection with a deadly crash on Interstate 95 that killed a 28-year-old Florida road ranger.
A judge ordered that Hayes, 45, remain held without bond as she faces 20 charges ranging from vehicular homicide to DUI manslaughter to reckless driving in the New Year’s Day crash that killed Jose Parra.
In court, state prosecutors alleged that Hayes had a blood alcohol content of more than twice the legal limit and should have never been behind the wheel to begin with.
Florida Highway Patrol troopers took Hayes into custody on Thursday.
According to FHP, Parra was helping to clear the scene of an accident in the express lanes of I-95 southbound near Hollywood Boulevard when Hayes lost control of her BMW SUV, causing a chain reaction crash.
Authorities said more than three hours after the crash, blood testing revealed she had a blood alcohol content of .167%, more than double the legal limit of .08%.
Before being blood-tested, she tried to conceal the alcohol on her breath with chewing gum, an arrest warrant states.
Troopers said Hayes has had an expired driver’s license since 2003.
Staci Parra, the victim’s wife, told Local 10 News following Hayes’ arrest Thursday that she wants “100% justice” for her late husband.
“I’m going to fight until the end for him,” she said. “There’s not a doubt that I’m going to fight.”
Hayes was being held in the Broward Main Jail as of Friday.
Jail records show that she also has an immigration hold. Past court records indicate that she was born in Kingston, Jamaica.