‘Wasn’t a mistake’: Drunk driver off to prison for crash that killed mother of 2
Standing behind a lectern in court, Mack Mercado recounted how his life has been destroyed in the two years since his partner Suleyca Rodriguez — the mother of his 6-year-old daughter — was killed by a drunk driver.
“There’s no words to describe how I feel every day when my daughter asks me, ‘Where’s my mom?’” Mercado said in tears.
Leonardo Remedios, 43, pleaded guilty Tuesday to the drunk-driving crash that killed Rodriguez, 36, on Dec. 7, 2023. Remedios, who was on house arrest, was charged with DUI manslaughter, vehicular homicide and two counts of DUI involving damage to property or a person.
After hearing testimony from several of Rodriguez’s loved ones, Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Andrea Ricker Wolfson sentenced Remedios to six years in prison followed by one year of community control, which is similar to house arrest, and five years of probation.
Remedios, attorney Haley Cove argued, had no prior criminal history and cooperated with police after the crash, even turning himself in. But prosecutor Shawn Abuhoff said Remedios needs to be held accountable because he was “so impaired, he could not react.”
Remedios teared up as he read a letter in court. He expressed his “deepest regret” for the crash.
“There are no excuses for my actions, and I take full responsibility for the damage I’ve caused,” Remedios said in Spanish. “I’m deeply ashamed, not only for what I did to the victim, but also what I did to [her] family.”
Shortly before midnight on Dec. 7, 2023, Remedios was behind the wheel of the Volkswagen Tiguan that rammed into Rodriguez’s Nissan Altima at the intersection of Southwest 24th Street and the Palmetto Expressway.
Remedios, who was driving at 81 mph in a 40 mph zone, sped through a red light, according to his arrest report. After a blood draw, investigators discovered that Remedios’ blood alcohol level was three times over the legal limit.
Rodriguez died on the scene. Remedios was taken to HCA Florida Kendall Hospital with a minor head injury.
Family is broken by loss
Facing the judge, Dorilee Santa mourned how Rodriguez’s two daughters are growing up without their mother. Her oldest daughter had to celebrate her 15th birthday — and the younger one started kindergarten — without their mother.
“Christmas came around, our family was at the cemetery,” Santa said, adding that they often celebrate holidays at Rodriguez’s grave.
Santa, who was among the two dozen loved ones who packed the courtroom, said she wanted Remedios to serve significant time behind bars.
“Mr. Remedios knew what he was doing when he went out for drinks,” Santa said. “I understand that people make mistakes, but this wasn’t a mistake.”
Rodriguez’s older daughter also addressed the court, frequently stopping to wipe her tears. A collage full of photos of Rodriguez was behind her as she spoke.
“Holidays feel different. Birthdays feel different,” Rodriguez’s daughter said. “You need to understand that this was not a mistake on paper. It was a decision that … permanently changed [my life.]”
Outside the courtroom, Santa told reporters that the family didn’t feel “like 6 years is enough for the life that he took.”
This story was originally published March 24, 2026 at 12:18 PM.
