More than a year after three Miami-Dade families were left with the idea they might not get justice, the man accused of causing a triple fatal crash on West Flagler has been captured overseas.
According to the victims’ families, the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office informed them that Erwin Zuniga has been arrested, and officials are now working on extraditing him to Miami. A source close to the investigation confirmed to NBC6 that Zuniga was taken into custody in Spain.
Authorities are coordinating his return to South Florida, where he will face trial on 10 criminal charges, including DUI manslaughter.
Paola Sabillon, her boyfriend Jason Meza, and his cousin Giselle Reyes were passengers who died from their injuries when police say Zuniga crashed into a gasoline station sign in Miami.
However, NBC6 exclusively reported last September that after two years of hoping for some justice, the victims’ families were stunned to learn that immigration officials deported the alleged drunk driver.
Investigators say Zuniga was impaired and driving more than 100 mph when he lost control of his car, killing his three passengers.
But before he could stand trial, Zuniga was wrongfully deported to Honduras, after the Miami-Dade jail admitted to a mistake in handling his custody — an error that derailed the case and devastated the victims’ families.
Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation Department has taken responsibility for Zuniga’s deportation and claimed that several officers would be disciplined for their actions. However, the details of their findings were not made public.
Now, with his capture abroad, the families say they are overwhelmed with relief and hopeful that justice will finally be served.
There is still no word on exactly when Zuniga will be extradited to Miami.
NBC6 reached out to the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office about the arrest, but we haven’t heard back yet.
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