A 15-year-old who was fleeing police in a stolen car when he caused a crash in Oakland Park that killed a mother of three will be charged as an adult.
Prosecutors told a judge Wednesday that the case will be direct filed, meaning the teen will be charged as an adult, in the August 28 crash that killed 35-year-old Maria Tellez-Valderrabano.
The incident began with an early morning burglary at a home in Fort Lauderdale in which a white Mercedes sedan was stolen.
Officers spotted the car later that morning and the Mercedes fled before it was involved in a multi-vehicle crash on the 900 block of Oakland Park Boulevard, officials said.
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The crash left Tellez-Valderrabano dead and six other people hospitalized.
The 15-year-old and his then 13-year-old passenger fled the scene on foot but were caught a short time later.
The younger teen, now 14, remains in juvenile detention in a rehabilitation program and is due back in court Dec. 5. NBC 6 has learned he has more than 20 previous open cases against him unrelated to the crash.
The 15-year-old suspect faces more serious charges. Records indicate he has two open cases against him that are unrelated to the August crash.
Family members of Tellez-Valderrabano, who left behind three children, have been pushing for both teens to be charged as adults.
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"I talk to my sister every night to give me strength and to help us get justice for her," Tellez-Valderrabano's sister, Emily Feria, said after Wednesday's court hearing. "I know it gets frustrating coming back and forth. The wheels of justice turn but they do turn."
