POMPANO BEACH, FLA. (WSVN) - A man accused of driving under the influence when, prosecutors said, he struck and killed a woman who was out rollerblading in Pompano Beach has been arrested and charged in the crash.
A Broward County judge read 26-year-old Endail Thomas his rights at a virtual session on Tuesday, one day after he was taken into custody.
The suspect faces a long list of charges in connection to the Feb. 19 incident, including DUI manslaughter, vehicular homicide and reckless driving.
“The defendant was westbound on 10th Street by the Pompano airport,” said prosecutor Michael Horowitz. “He was driving at an extremely high rate of speed.”
Prosecutors said Thomas was drunk and speeding when he lost control of his vehicle and slammed into 27-year-old Aline Palla Acosta. The impact killed her instantly.
The victim was on the phone with her mother in Brazil, according to a friend.
7News interviewed Daniela Del Ciampo, a longtime friend of Acosta, the day after the crash.
“She was talking to her [mother], and she heard the sound of a crash, and she couldn’t hear her daughter anymore,” said Del Ciampo.
Police said Thomas was heavily intoxicated..
“Toxicology indicated he was .17 [blood alcohol], over twice the limit,” said Horowitz. “They determined that he was driving 96 miles an hour in a 35 mile-an-hour zone.”
7SkyForce HD hovered above the scene showing Thomas’ vehicle severed in two.
Two nights later, friends and family held a candlelight memorial for the woman who, they said, was there for anyone.
The gathering took place just feet from where she died.
“She was, like, the best person in the entire world. She was the sweetest. If you needed anything, she was there for you,” said a mourner.
Now, nine months after her death, the man who investigators said is responsible is behind bars.
“Tell everybody you love them, because it could be any day that you go,” said the mourner.
Thomas is being held at the Broward County Jail Monday on $221,000 bond. If he is able to post bond, he will be required to surrender his passport.
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