HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – Authorities have arrested 45-year-old Latoya Hayes in connection with the fatal crash that killed 28-year-old road ranger Jose Parra while he was assisting at the scene of an accident.
The arrest brought a sense of justice to Parra’s grieving family. His wife, Satacie Parra, expressed mixed emotions. “Not the way I want to be feeling, just a little more justice knowing that somebody was arrested,” she said. “I just wish he could come back honestly.”
Parra’s mother added in Spanish, “She took everything away, she’s an unconscious person, irresponsible, and low self-value. Because you don’t like yourself in order to respect life.”
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Hayes’ blood alcohol level was found to be more than twice the legal limit when the crash occurred on New Year’s Day. Parra was clearing the scene of an earlier crash on the I-95 southbound express lanes when Hayes lost control of her BMW SUV, triggering a chain reaction collision.
Parra’s father commented in Spanish, “People should be conscious of their own lives and conscious of other people’s lives.” Two state troopers and another driver were also involved in the incident but were not seriously injured.
Stacie Parra, the victim’s wife, expressed her sorrow and frustration, saying, “Be reasonable, you made a really bad decision. You killed not just a son, a husband of only five months, a hero.”
Hayes has been charged with 20 offenses, including vehicular homicide, DUI manslaughter, and reckless driving.
“I just want 100% justice,” Stacie Parra said. “I’m going to fight until the end for him. There’s not a doubt that I’m not going to fight.”
