Man accused in fatal wrong-way crash on I-95 dodges cameras after bonding out of jail

Franklin Chavez arrested in connection with December crash that killed woman

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – Franklin Chavez, 23, was camera-shy as he walked out of jail Tuesday afternoon.

Instead of speaking, Chavez and the two women who posted his bond to get him out of jail tried to hide from a Local 10 News camera.

Earlier in the day, Chavez appeared in bond court, where he faced Judge Mindy Glazer on charges that he was intoxicated when he drove the wrong way on Interstate 95 in December and crashed head-on into another car, killing Carmen Criales, 23.

"I believe there is probable cause for the charges set forth," Glazer said.

Mike Braxton, Chavez's attorney, spoke in court.

"Everybody understand the nature of what happened, OK? But at this point, I mean, he's our client. OK? We're representing him. He's presumed innocent at this point," Braxton said outside of the courtroom after Chavez's appearance. 

The presumption of innocence angers Criales' father, Noel Criales, who has spent the past several months alongside his son, Bryan Criales, 22, who is currently recovering from a traumatic brain injury he suffered in the crash.

Bryan Criales' mother was also hurt in the crash, which occurred as they were driving Carmen Criales to the airport so she could go to New Jersey for a medical school orientation.

Noel Criales said he is going to continue to fight for justice.

"I'm never going to stop," he said.