WEST MIAMI-DADE, FLA. (WSVN) - A Miami Lakes attorney has been arrested and charged in connection to a December hit-and-run that killed a woman.
Marcos Gonzalez-Balboa, who practiced personal injury law for over four decades, faced a judge Wednesday, after he was arrested, Tuesday night.
According to police, Gonzalez-Balboa is responsible for the death of 26-year-old Tatum Holloway from Traverse, Michigan.
Investigators said the 65-year-old had several drinks before he struck Holloway with his car at the intersection of Fairway and Miami Lakes drives, and then drove off on Dec. 6.
Police said a piece of Gonzalez-Balboa’s Mercedes-Benz was found at the scene.
Gonzalez-Balboa now faces four charges, including DUI manslaughter, vehicular homicide, leaving the scene of a crash and tampering with physical evidence.
Gonzalez-Balboa was being held on a $145,000 bond. However, his attorney argued for a lower bond.
“I do think that the bond is a little bit high, I think a bond of on a $50,000 with home detention is more reasonable to assure his presence in the community,” Gonzalez-Balboa’s attorney said.
However, the judge disagreed and, while she lowered it, she only lowered it to $75,000.
“Oh, I was just checking the back of the courtroom to make sure we didn’t have the ‘Have it your way’ sign up today. It’s not that one like Burger King,” the judge said.
If he posts bond, Gonzalez-Balboa would be placed on house arrest, something he argued against.
“I need to be able to wind down my practice so I can concentrate on this matter. I have clients, and it’s going to be very difficult for me to do that from home,” Gonzalez-Balboa said.
However, the judge again disagreed.
“And that’s going to be very difficult for you to do that from jail as well,” she said. “So let’s evaluate where it’ll be easier to ‘wind down’ from.”
According to the police report, Gonzalez-Balboa was at a bar in Coral Gables and after several drinks, surveillance video showed him “having difficulty walking properly, and that he appeared to stumble as he walked.”
At some point after that, police said he hit and killed the victim with his car in Miami Lakes and fled the scene.
“We’re looking into this matter. It is a very serious charge,” said Gonzalez-Balboa’s attorney, Miguel Del Aguila. “At the end of the day, we believe that a jury will find him not guilty of the offense.”
No one answered the door at Gonzalez-Balboa’s home, but a witness spoke to 7News the morning of the crash, and said he saw Holloway lying on the ground.
“I hear the police coming from everywhere – that’s a lot of cars,” said the witness. “I saw a body in the corner.”
Holloway worked at a private art gallery called Park West.
In a statement to 7News, Park West vice president of marketing John Lichtenberg said, “Park West is a family business, and this tragedy hit us all very hard. She was a wonderful and bright young lady, and our sincere thoughts and prayers continue to be with her family and loved ones.”
Holloway’s family has filed a civil suit in this case.
“We’ll allow you to be at work, make doctor’s appointments or lawyer’s appointments or be at home,” the judge told Gonzalez-Balboa. “But clearly not in any bars in Coral Gables.”
Gonzalez-Balboa is expected to be outfitted with an ankle monitor for house arrest and he has also been ordered not to drive.
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