New police body camera video raises serious questions about how Miami police responded to the investigation into a horrific motorcycle crash. 7’s Karen Hensel investigates.
Sahily Cuevas: “Living from day to day.”
This is now a heartbreaking reality for Sahily Cuevas.
Sahily Cuevas: “This is how we feed Marian four times a day.”
Sahily Cuevas, a nurse, quit her job to care for her daughter, Marian Sanchez Cuevas.
Sahily Cuevas: “If you think it’s okay, close your eyes.”
Marian had part of her leg amputated nearly eight months ago and suffered a traumatic brain injury.
Sahily Cuevas: “We are waiting for the first word.”
Marian hasn’t spoken to her since September 24, 2023. The energetic, athletic and sociable 26-year-old was a passenger on the motorcycle when it crashed.
As 7Investigates first reported in February, witnesses said the driver was traveling at a “high speed” and ran a stop sign before crashing into a curb in Coconut Grove.
The motorcyclist, Nicholas Araujo, is a Miami-Dade County firefighter. He was not on duty at the time.
The 29-year-old man was injured but recovered, as seen in this fire department video.
On the day of the accident, he was tailgating with friends before a Dolphins game.
In the photo with Marian, they both had drinks in their hands.
February / Sahily Cuevas: “We have evidence that they were drinking. They were drinking.”
Marian’s family and friends claim the case was not properly investigated, starting with Nicholas failing to take a DUI test.
February / Gabriel Varona, friend: “Maybe he wasn’t tested at all. It makes no sense to me at all.”
“There was no physical evidence at the scene that the driver was impaired,” Miami police said. and “…they had no probable cause or evidence to obtain a warrant to draw blood.”
February / Sahily Cuevas: “From my perspective, they didn’t investigate. They didn’t investigate.”
It’s been three months since our original story aired, but Miami police still refuse to answer even basic questions about what happened that September night. Masu. And newly released body camera video raises even more questions.
Body camera video/officer: “Please help these two.”
When police arrived at the scene, they found Marian and Nicholas lying lifeless and covered in blood next to their motorcycle.
Body camera video/officer: “She lost her leg.”
As emergency workers work to save lives, police begin interviewing witnesses.
Body camera video/witness: “They ran a stop sign…my guess is between 70 and 160 miles per hour.”
Body camera video/witness: “If I had to guess, he probably went 65 or 70 miles per hour through this stop sign.”
However, despite the testimony of these two witnesses, the estimated speed listed in the accident report is 35 mph.
Body camera video/officer: “This is a crime scene right now.”
At one point, a detective appears and appears to measure tire tracks. But if that detective’s report exists, the Miami Police Department has yet to provide it to us, despite our repeated requests.
Body camera video/officer: “Put me back on mute.”
Most of the time, officers have their cameras set to silent mode. However, one of the witnesses could be heard saying about the driver.
Body camera video/witness: “If he makes it, he should go to prison for the rest of his life. If he makes it. The poor girl…must be drunk.”
No one knows whether that statement is true or not. But the claim that Nicholas was “driving under the influence” is included in this new lawsuit filed against the firefighters.
Sahily Cuevas: “For me, he has to take responsibility for his actions.”
“In a pattern of recklessness…” Nicholas “…made him ride his motorcycle to further display his bravado,” the complaint says.
Minutes before Marian got on Nicholas’ bike, another woman was recording the incident on her cell phone.
Woman: “It’s another stop sign.”
An attorney representing Nicholas said he could not comment on the pending lawsuit, which seeks more than $5 million in damages.
Eric Sanchez, father (translator): “She is my daughter and the greatest thing I have.”
Marian’s father has this message for Nicholas:
Eric Sanchez, father (translator): “And I don’t think he’s capable of being a fire rescuer. What was the first thing he should have done when he came out of the hospital? “What about Marian? ?”
Marian is currently showing some positive signs. We watched her mother coach her through small exercises like swiping on the phone. However, there is still a long way to go.
Sahily Cuevas: “It’s hard because Mother’s Day is coming up. I can’t hear my daughter’s voice.”
So for now, these parents are the spokespeople for their only daughter.
Nicolas Araujo was eventually issued a non-criminal careless driving warning. The ticket was signed four months after the accident, the day the first episode aired.
Contact 7 investigates:
305-627-CLUE
954-921-CLUE
[email protected]
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