Florida Grandma Crashes SUV Into Lake, Asks Police About Friend’s Death While Slurring Her Words
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA — A Florida grandmother is facing vehicular homicide and DUI manslaughter charges after allegedly driving her SUV into a lake, killing her best friend on New Year’s Eve. Newly released footage shows the woman slurring her words, stumbling, and repeatedly asking officers, “Did my friend die?” as they investigated the crash.
Surveillance Footage Shows SUV Speeding Into Fence and Lake
According to an arrest affidavit, 73-year-old Julia Vega was behind the wheel of an SUV late on Dec. 31, 2024, with her best friend of many years, 69-year-old Elsa Pintor, in the passenger seat. Investigators say Vega accelerated through an apartment parking lot around 11 p.m., struck a yellow retention pole, plowed through a chain-link fence, and continued driving straight into a lake.
Vega escaped through the driver’s side window as the SUV sank. She yelled for help as officers arrived, and police threw her a rope, pulling her to safety.
Pintor, however, was trapped underwater.
Paramedics eventually rescued Pintor from the submerged vehicle and found she still had a faint pulse. She was rushed to the hospital but later died from her injuries.
Bodycam Shows Vega Slurring Words and Asking, “Did My Friend Die?”
Newly released body camera footage shows Vega visibly unsteady and emotional as police speak with her after the crash. Her speech was slurred, she struggled to stand still, and her eyes appeared bloodshot and watery.
At one point, she repeatedly asked officers:
“Did my friend die?
Did my friend die?”
Officers told her they could not confirm Pintor’s condition at the time. Vega requested an attorney after being read her Miranda rights.
When officers attempted a field sobriety test, Vega denied intoxication and insisted:
“I’m not drunk, we only had wine at Cooper’s Hawk.”
Police noted she was stumbling on flat ground, smelling of alcohol, and showing multiple signs of impairment.
Toxicology Report Shows High Blood Alcohol Level and Xanax
A blood sample taken after the crash revealed Vega had a 0.148 blood alcohol level — nearly double Florida’s legal limit of 0.08. She also had alprazolam (Xanax) in her system at the time.
Officers say the combination impaired her judgment, slowed her reaction time, and likely contributed to her driving directly into the lake.
The case has deeply affected both families. According to WTVJ, Vega and Pintor’s children are married to each other, meaning the two women shared grandchildren.
Vega’s defense attorney, Hilton Napoleon, said:
“Ms. Vega and the victim were best friends who also shared grandchildren together.
This incident caused a devastating loss to the family.”
Crash Ends Lifelong Friendship and Sparks Criminal Charges
Investigators say the crash was entirely preventable and the result of impaired driving. The SUV’s path — through a pole, through a fence, and into a lake — indicated no attempt to brake or turn.
Authorities stated that Vega never should have been behind the wheel.
At the time of her arrest on Jan. 31, Vega was charged with:
- Vehicular homicide
- DUI manslaughter
Court documents show her bond set at $50,000, and she was ordered:
- Not to drive
- Wear an electronic monitor
- Remain on house arrest if released
Her next court date is scheduled for Dec. 29.
A Family Grappling With Loss and the Weight of Responsibility
Loved ones described Pintor as a warm, generous woman and a devoted grandmother. Her death has devastated the family, who now face the painful reality that the tragedy was caused by someone they trusted.
The combination of alcohol, medication, and late-night driving proved fatal — turning a holiday evening into a life-changing catastrophe.
As the case moves toward trial, Miami-Dade authorities urge residents to use caution during holiday celebrations and avoid driving under the influence. For more updates on breaking local cases, community stories, and regional news, visit ChicagoMusicGuide.com.