The woman behind the wheel of a high-speed crash that killed a pedestrian in Little Havana is now facing even more serious charges. New toxicology results show she was drunk at the time of the crash, prompting prosecutors to file DUI manslaughter and vehicular homicide charges.
A Night Out Turns Tragic
It was around 1 a.m. on May 30 when 32-year-old Ivana Gomez was spotted flying down Southwest 7th Street in her BMW. A Miami police officer noticed her speeding—reportedly going over 100 miles per hour—and gave chase.
Just moments later, that officer saw something horrific. Gomez’s car hit a woman crossing the street near Southwest 21st Avenue. That woman was 41-year-old Kathryn “Katie” Kipnis. The impact was so violent, police say, that her body was dragged for over 200 feet before being thrown from the car.
The officer stopped Gomez just a few blocks away. He said she smelled like alcohol, her eyes were bloodshot, and she could barely stand during the field sobriety tests. Gomez refused further testing and asked for a lawyer.
New Charges After Blood Test Results
At first, Gomez was charged with leaving the scene of a deadly crash and resisting arrest. But now, those charges have been upgraded.
Blood test results taken a couple of hours after the crash show Gomez had a blood alcohol level between 0.159 and 0.162 — more than twice the legal limit in Florida. Even hours later, her blood alcohol remained above the legal threshold.
That’s led prosecutors to charge her with DUI manslaughter and reckless vehicular homicide. Assistant State Attorney Laura Adams said Gomez’s actions showed a “flagrant disregard for human life.”
Remembering Katie Kipnis
Katie Kipnis had spent the evening out, enjoying herself, before she was killed walking home that night. Her family says she was full of life and had a contagious smile.
Her father, Daniel Kipnis, said he had just spoken to her earlier that evening. “She told me, ‘I love you, Dad.’ That was the last time I spoke to her.”
In court, Katie’s cousin described her as “a shining light” and said her loss has left a hole in the family’s heart.
What Happens Next
Gomez is out on a $250,000 bond, but she’s under strict conditions. She must stay under house arrest, can’t leave the country, and is banned from drinking or driving. Her passport has been surrendered.
The case is still unfolding. Police are analyzing data from the BMW’s black box to determine how fast Gomez was going and whether she ever tried to brake. Prosecutors are expected to push hard, and the case could end up going to trial.
A Wake-Up Call for the Community
This deadly crash has shaken people in Little Havana and beyond. It’s a sobering reminder of how quickly lives can be lost due to impaired driving.
Local residents say they’re angry someone could be so reckless and then try to flee. Some are calling for stronger DUI enforcement and better protections for pedestrians in the area.
What to Look Out For
As this case moves forward, there are still many unanswered questions:
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Will the charges be upgraded again if more evidence comes out?
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Could additional substances have played a role?
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What will the data from the car reveal about Gomez’s driving that night?
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And most of all — will there be justice for Katie Kipnis?
For now, the community is grieving, and one family is left trying to make sense of a loss that came far too soon.
