Left: Katherine Kipnis (Miami-Dade County jail). Right: BMW used in fatal hit-and-run crash (Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office via WPLG).
A woman from Florida is currently in custody after authorities allege she hit a pedestrian with her car and left the scene, later trying to downplay the incident by stating the victim was “just a homeless person.”
According to court documents, Ivana Gomez, aged 32, faces charges for fleeing the scene of a fatal accident and resisting an officer without violence. She is held at the Miami-Dade County jail with a bond set at $251,500.
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Local news outlets report, based on a probable cause affidavit, that the incident happened at approximately 1:15 a.m. on Friday in Miami’s Little Havana area. The victim, identified as 41-year-old Katherine Kipnis, was reportedly struck with such force by Gomez’s BMW that her head was driven into the vehicle through the windshield, leaving some hair caught in the passenger’s seat belt, prosecutors mentioned during a bond hearing on Saturday.
A police officer witnessed the crash and tried to stop Gomez but she didn’t stop, the affidavit reportedly said. She allegedly kept driving until she was slowed by traffic. When the cop caught up to her, he could smell alcohol coming from her breath and noticed she had bloodshot eyes. There was also vomit in the passenger seat, the affidavit reportedly said.
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She declined to complete a sobriety test and requested to speak to an attorney.
The judge reportedly noted in the bond hearing that Gomez allegedly said it was “just a homeless person that I hit” and “it’s just an accident.”
Gomez denied making the statement.
“Your Honor, I never said that,” she reportedly said. “I did not say that whatsoever. That’s false.”
Kipnis’ cousin spoke during the hearing.
“I just want Your Honor to be aware of what a shining light has been taken out of this world by the incredible irresponsibility of this defendant,” Rachel Kipnis said.
The victim’s father spoke with local ABC affiliate WPLG on Friday.
“My daughter was vivacious, lovable. Everyone really liked her. She was tough, but in a good way,” he told the outlet. “I just think back, I spoke to her last night at 6 o’clock when she told me, ‘I love you, Dad.’ That’s the last thing she said to me.”
Prosecutors say Gomez could face additional charges including vehicular homicide after further investigation.
