Teen killed, two others injured in New Year’s Day crash in Key Biscayne

An 18-year-old woman was killed in a car crash likely caused by speeding in Key Biscayne about 7:45 a.m. New Year’s Day, Key Biscayne Police Chief Charles R. Press said on Friday.

The young woman, identified by Miami-Dade police as Daniela Benavides Sanmiguel, was riding in the back of a silver Porsche driven by another teenager when the car slammed through three trees, a light pole, a residential gate, and “some other obstacles until they came to a rest in front of a home” in the 700 block of Harbor Drive, the chief said. No other cars were involved in the crash in the residential neighborhood.

“There’s no doubt that speed was involved and a major contributor,” the chief said, adding that Miami-Dade Traffic Homicide was handling the investigation.

Miami-Dade police said Isaias Medina, 17, was behind the wheel when he lost control at a curve in the road. He and Mathew Saldana, 17, who was in the front passenger seat, were taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center with head injuries. Press said all three teenagers lived on the key.

“Obviously this is a horrific tragedy. That it happened on New Year’s Day will make it even more difficult for the family,” Press said. “As far as our police department goes, any time something like this happens you just shake your head because we know what causes these types of accidents and we know these accidents are preventable. It didn’t have to happen.”

At Jackson, hospital spokeswoman Tania Leets said no information would be available on the two victims until Monday.

This story was originally published January 1, 2016 at 12:54 PM with the headline "Teen killed, two others injured in New Year’s Day crash in Key Biscayne."