Woman released from jail after crash that injured South Dade High principal

Marilyn Aguilera, 51, arrested on charge of DUI resulting in great bodily harm

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – A woman accused of severely injuring the principal of South Dade Senior High School last month after she struck him with her car was arrested and released from jail Tuesday on a DUI charge.

Authorities said Marilyn Aguilera, 51, is charged with driving under the influence causing a crash that resulted in great bodily harm. Her blood-alcohol level was measured at .227 percent, almost three times the legal limit, an arrest warrant said.

"I'm very sorry," Aguilera said as she left jail Tuesday night, her face covered by a pink hoodie.

According to Miami-Dade police, Javier Perez, 43, was coaching his 5-year-old son's Little League baseball team at a West Kendall park April 26 when he was struck by a GMC Envoy.

The warrant said Aguilera was driving at a high rate of speed while heading north on Southwest 117th Avenue near Coral Way. She then struck a median, hit a chain-link fence and struck Perez and another man, Elias Espinoza.

File: Arrest warrant for Marilyn Aguilera

Authorities said Perez was trapped underneath Aguilera's vehicle.

Both victims were taken by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue to Kendall Regional Medical Center. Perez was first listed in critical condition and later had to have his legs amputated.

Authorities said Aguilera remained at the scene.

According to the warrant,  while speaking to detectives,  Aguilera experienced "mood swings ... which ranged from being cooperative and polite to being insulting and using profanity. Her face was flushed and she both laughed and cried."

A GoFundMe page has been created to help Perez's family with his medical expenses.


About the Authors:

Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com.