MIAMI – Additional charges were filed Tuesday against a man charged in a fatal wrong-way crash.
Franklin Chavez, who is released on bail, was not taken back into custody after his hearing, but he now faces more charges, including driving under the influence of alcohol, reckless driving and speeding.
"This was obviously an unfortunate thing regardless of why, certainly unfortunate and tragic, and I understand that, but ultimately what the judge said was, 'Listen, he hasn't violated any conditions of the bond. There's no reason for us to place any restrictions on the release,'" Chavez's attorney, Andrew Parks, said.
Chavez was accompanied at his hearing by relatives, and the family of those affected by the wrong-way wreck was also in court.
"Now it's the hard part, but I'm glad we took steps to justice right now and that we're getting into those steps so we can go back to living as normal a life as possible with Bryan and his family," Amani Gil said.
Gil's fiancé, Bryan Ciales, suffered a brain injury in the crash.
He's now home in between therapy after being in the hospital and in rehab since the crash happened on Interstate 95 in Miami on Dec. 13.
His sister, Carmen Criales, 23, who was about to start medical school, died in the crash, and their mom, Carmen Rosa, was severely injured.
Prosecutors said Chavez had just left a Christmas party when the crash occurred.
Seeing the man investigators said is responsible for the crash that turned their world upside down was difficult, according to the family.
"It was difficult, but I will always support the person that I love the most and his family," Gil said.
Chavez pleaded not guilty. He is expected to go to trial in December.