Twenty-four-year-old social media model Maecee Marie Lathers sat visibly distressed in a Miami-Dade courtroom on Monday, holding her head in her hands and rocking back and forth as she awaited a critical decision: Would she be released on bond after facing two new counts of DUI manslaughter for a fatal August crash in downtown Miami?
Lathers, a Miami Gardens resident, was already facing a long list of charges when prosecutors added the manslaughter charges stemming from the August 10 crash that killed Abraham Ismael and his friend Jesus Rubio. Lathers’ defense attorneys pleaded for her to be placed on house arrest again, but Judge Teresa Pooler ultimately ordered that she remain behind bars, told NBC News.
“I think she’s extremely dangerous,” Judge Pooler remarked as she denied Lathers’ bond request, a decision that left the model devastated.
Police reports revealed disturbing details about the crash. Lathers admitted to being high on “tusi,” a party drug also known as “pink cocaine,” and claimed to officers that she had “time-traveled from the future” and had a “crystal ball” at the time of the accident.
Authorities noted that Lathers was driving on a suspended license, which had been revoked in January. According to the police, she floored her Mercedes-Benz at “100%” throttle, speeding at nearly 80 mph down North Miami Avenue. Lathers then ran a red light at Eighth Street, crashing into a Range Rover and a Suzuki, killing Ismael, a father, and Rubio, while injuring the driver of the Range Rover.
Witnesses at the scene reported that Lathers attempted to walk away from the wreckage and had to be restrained by bystanders. Police also administered Narcan to Lathers after the crash. A detective testified in court that Lathers had no memory of the crash just 12 hours later, which the detective attributed to the effects of the overdose-reversal drug.
Toxicology reports confirmed the presence of ketamine and MDMA, two key components of “tusi,” in Lathers’ system at the time of the crash.
In a dramatic moment during Monday’s hearing, prosecutors played body camera footage showing Lathers screaming and writhing on the ground before being loaded into an ambulance by first responders. Lathers, whose Instagram page showcases her in revealing outfits, watched the footage in tears while wearing a baggy orange jail jumpsuit.
Judge Pooler’s decision to deny bond was based on Lathers’ “lack of responsibility” and disregard for the safety of others. As of Monday afternoon, Lathers remained in the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center and is set to appear in court again on October 22, with a tentative trial set for November.