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Almost two decades after losing his sister in a fatal hit-and-run accident in Hialeah, Joaquín Freire, chief of the Miami Police, was able to look into the eyes of the woman who took peace away from his family in a courtroom.
Leydis Menéndez Abdala, a 52-year-old Cuban, appeared this week in a Miami-Dade court after being arrested in Mexico and extradited to South Florida. She is charged with vehicular homicide and involuntary manslaughter for driving under the influence of alcohol in the accident on August 12, 2006, which resulted in the death of Gloria Marcia Hall, 40, while she was driving on 68th Street in Hialeah.
During the hearing, Freire affirmed that seeing Abdala after so many years was an emotionally charged moment.
“It brings back the pain that this person caused me and my family. Not only because she did not take responsibility for her actions. That is the most important thing,” he stated to NBC Miami. “On the other hand, I feel gratitude seeing her sitting there in her orange sweater knowing that she is in county jail.”
The prosecutors noted that Abdala's blood alcohol level was twice the legal limit. However, before she could be arrested in 2006, she received a tip-off from her then-partner, an officer of the Hialeah Police, and fled the country. The prosecution suspects that other officers also aided in her escape.
Nearly 20 years as a fugitive
The case remained in the shadows for nearly two decades, while Gloria Hall's family kept the hope of justice alive.
As Freire recounted in a prior interview with Telemundo 51, his grief turned into a promise: to not rest until he finds the location of the person responsible.
"I told her once in the cemetery that I would never stop until the day I found her, or they found her," he stated.
The capture of Abdala occurred after it was discovered that she would be deported from Mexico, which ultimately allowed for her extradition to the United States. The judge denied her bail, and the next hearing was scheduled for the end of the month.
The victim's brother insists that accountability should not be limited to the accused driver. “I hope that any accomplices face justice,” he said, referring to those who helped her escape.
For the Hall family, the arrest of Abdala is a crucial step, though not enough. "It has been 19 years of continuously searching for this person," Freire recalled. "The arrest does not erase the pain, but it is a beginning for justice to finally be served."
Frequently asked questions about the 2006 hit-and-run case in Hialeah
Who is Leydis Menéndez Abdala and what is she accused of?
Leydis Menéndez Abdala is a Cuban citizen accused of vehicular homicide and involuntary manslaughter for causing a fatal accident in Hialeah in 2006 while driving under the influence of alcohol. After the incident, she fled the country and remained a fugitive for nearly two decades.
How was the capture of Leydis Menéndez Abdala achieved after 19 years?
The capture of Leydis Menéndez Abdala was achieved thanks to her extradition from Mexico to the United States after she was apprehended by Mexican authorities. She was located in Mexico, where she had been living since her escape. The cooperation between the authorities of both countries was crucial for her arrest and transport to Miami-Dade.
What happened during the hearing in Miami with Menéndez Abdala?
During the hearing in Miami, Menéndez Abdala pleaded not guilty. The judge denied bail due to the seriousness of the charges and the risk of flight. The next hearing is scheduled for the end of the month, where the judicial proceedings against him will continue.
What impact did the accident have on the victim's family, Gloria Marcia Hall?
The accident that caused the death of Gloria Marcia Hall had a profound impact on her family. Gloria Hall was the mother of two daughters and her loss left a significant void. Her brother, Joaquín Freire, turned his grief into an unwavering quest for justice that has lasted nearly two decades. The capture of Abdala represents a step toward justice, although the pain endures.
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