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Charges filed against woman accused of killing three people in hit-and-run crash
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Charges filed against woman accused of killing three people in hit-and-run crash

After four long months, a woman accused of causing a crash that killed three family members and left a 2-year-old child as the sole survivor has been formally charged in their deaths.

Dawn Howard faces six counts of manslaughter and manslaughter when she made her first court appearance this morning.

She was joined by her attorney, Mike Dutko, who asked the judge to let Howard out of jail on house arrest, which the judge agreed to, saying he didn’t think Howard was a “flight risk “.

“I think the judge showed great wisdom and patience,” Dutko said.

Arsenio Almaguer, the toddler's uncle, (pictured right) with family members.
Arsenio Almaguer, the toddler’s uncle, (pictured right) with family members.

In July, Alejandro Rodríguez, Yanela Almaguer and Diego Almaguer, aged 10, they all died in an accident along Military Trail in Boynton Beach.

The only survivor is 2-year-old Fabio Almaguer.

“Ask for mommy, ask for papi, Diego,” said Arsenio Almaguer, the toddler’s uncle.

He reflected on his late family saying, “The world has lost wonderful people.”

Photo by Dawn Howard
Photo by Dawn Howard

Fighting for Arsenio Almaguer’s grandson is attorney Scott Smith, who represents the 2-year-old.

He does not agree with Howard’s release from prison.

“It seems terribly unfair that Dawn Howard is out of prison when Fabio’s mother is dead, Fabio’s father is dead and Fabio’s brother is dead,” Smith said.

Going through court documents, deputies said Howard was going over 100 mph just before the crash.

At the time of impact, they said it hit the family car at 97 mph.

Attorney Scott Smith says he will do everything in his power to get justice for Arsenio…
Attorney Scott Smith says he will do everything in his power to get justice for Arsenio Almaguer’s grandson.

At the hospital, nurses ran a blood test on Howard and deputies had a warrant for an additional test.

Deputies said the results show Howard’s BAC was nearly 0.2, which is more than twice the legal limit.

“She was not only impaired, she was drunk,” Smith said.

Smith said Fabio Almaguer is now back in Cuba with his grandmothers, who are also grieving for their children and are motivating Smith’s grandchildren to continue to push for justice for Fabio Almaguer.

“I will do my best for this young man,” he said.

CONFERENCE STORIES:

ALMAGUER FAMILY PHOTO
ALMAGUER FAMILY PHOTO
Victims of the deadly Boynton accident
Victims of the deadly Boynton accident

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