By james art Family and friends gathered at Memorial Plan Funeral Home in Miami to say goodbye to Julio and Manuela Hernandez, an elderly Cuban couple who tragically lost their lives after being hit by a vehicle last Sunday in Hialeah, as reported by Telemundo 51 .
The Hernandez couple, married for more than 60 years, were well known for their daily lottery outings. However, their routine ended in tragedy when they were hit by a hit-and-run driver.
The funeral took place last Thursday in Miami. The tragic incident happened around 7:00 p.m. on October 13 when the couple tried to cross East 8th Avenue near 47th Street in Hialeah. Julio, 87, and Manuela, 84, were pronounced dead at the scene.
The arrest of the suspect
The driver involved, Susey Calchines, 47, was taken into custody the next day and now faces charges of vehicular homicide and leaving the scene of an accident. According to police reports, Calsines was unable to help the victims or provide information after the collision.
Her vehicle, a black Mercedes Benz GL450, was tracked by authorities to an apartment complex in northwest Miami-Dade, leading to her identification as a suspect. At the time of his arrest, Calsines claimed he could not remember the incident, citing an undisclosed medical condition.
Legal consequences and impact on the community
Despite having no history of reckless driving, Calcines faces significant legal consequences. Judge Mindy S. Glazer set her bail at $30,000, placed her under house arrest with an ankle monitor and prohibited her from driving.
It was Maria, Hernandez’s daughter, who identified her parents after the incident. Under Florida law, leaving the scene of a fatal accident can result in up to 15 years in prison along with hefty fines.