MIAMI – A 32-year-old woman accused of fatally striking a pedestrian and fleeing the scene in Miami’s Little Havana neighborhood appeared in bond court Saturday, as loved ones of the victim demanded justice and the judge warned that more serious charges could follow.
Police say Ivana Gomez was arrested on charges of leaving the scene of a crash involving death and resisting an officer without violence in connection with the death of 41-year-old Katherine Kipnis.
A possible DUI manslaugter charge is pending the results of a toxicology report, authorities said.
During Saturday’s hearing, Miami-Dade Circuit Judge William Altfield found probable cause and granted bond but imposed strict conditions.
Gomez must remain under house arrest with total lockdown, surrender her passport, and abide by a “no drink, no drive” order. Her bond was set at $250,000 for the fatal crash charge and $1,500 for resisting an officer.
Prosecutors had requested a $1 million bond, but the judge denied the motion.
Kipnis’ cousin, Rachel Kipnis, appeared virtually on Zoom during the hearing and addressed the court through tears.
“A shining light has been taken from this world because of the defendant’s irresponsibility,” she said. “It shocks my conscience that someone could drive through a human being — strike a person — and try to get away with it. I can’t imagine anything more disgraceful.”
Allison Freidin, a lifelong friend who met Katherine Kipnis in preschool, also spoke at the hearing.
“The victim was an incredible human, a very giving person,” she said. “She participated in cultural events.”
The lead detective in the case was also present.
Prosecutors presented several crash scene photos, including one showing significant windshield damage on the 2019 BMW 330i that Gomez was allegedly driving.
A close-up image showed strands of the victim’s hair on the front passenger headrest, illustrating the violence of the impact.
“When she struck miss kipnis, she hit the victim so hard that the victim’s head went into the vehicle, through the windshield and some of the vicitm’s hair got caught on the passenger’s seatbelt of the defendant’s vehicle,” a prosecutor said.
In bond court, Gomez addressed Altfield to deny a statement in the arrest report in which she allegedly dismissed the victim as being homeless.
“It’s false. I never said that,” she told Altfield.
Police said the crash happened just before 1:15 a.m. Friday at the intersection of Southwest 22nd Avenue and Seventh Street.
Officers said they found Kipnis dead at the scene after being struck by a blue BMW driven by Gomez, who they say was speeding westbound on Southwest Seventh Street.
According to the arrest report, an officer attempted to stop Gomez after witnessing the crash but she initially fled, only coming to a stop at a red light blocked by other vehicles.
The officer said he immediately noticed the strong smell of alcohol on Gomez’s breath and observed her bloodshot, watery eyes.
Gomez refused to submit to a field sobriety test and requested an attorney, according to investigators.
Authorities say Kipnis was hit with such force that her hair was embedded in the vehicle’s windshield and strands were later found inside the car. The front of the vehicle sustained “extremely heavy damage,” according to police.
Kipnis’ father, Daniel Kipnis, shared his heartbreak in a phone interview with Local 10 News on Friday.
“My daughter was vivacious, lovable. Everyone really liked her. She was tough, but in a good way,” he said. “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.”
Gomez remained at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center as of Saturday afternoon. Altfield indicated that the charge could be elevated to a more serious offense related to causing death, pending further investigation.
Local 10 Assignment Editor Carson Merlo contributed to this report.
