Maecee Marie Lathers, a 24-year-old model, was arrested and appeared before a Miami-Dade County judge after being accused of causing a tragic accident in downtown Miami that resulted in the deaths of two people. The incident, which occurred last weekend, shocked the community and highlighted the reckless and dangerous behavior of the young woman, who has over 11,000 followers on Instagram.
According to the police report, Lathers, who resides in Miami Gardens, was driving a Mercedes-Benz sedan at high speed along North Miami Avenue on Saturday morning when she ran a red light and collided with a black Range Rover. The impact was so severe that both vehicles crashed into a third car, a Suzuki sedan, carrying three people. As reported by Local 10, the accident led to the deaths of two Suzuki occupants: one passenger died at the scene, and the driver succumbed to injuries later at Jackson Memorial Hospital.
Beyond the shock caused by the tragic accident, witnesses were outraged by Lathers' attempt to walk away from the scene, an action interrupted by bystanders who stopped her and brought her back. Authorities noted that at the time of the crash, Lathers was under the influence of a substance known as "pink cocaine" or tusi, a ketamine-based party drug.
During her court appearance, Judge Mindy Glazer described Lathers as "an absolute danger to the community" and expressed her dismay at the severity of the charges. The judge found probable cause to charge her with eight felonies, including two counts of leaving the scene of an accident causing death, and ordered her to be placed under house arrest with a reduced bond of $140,000. Additionally, she was banned from driving any vehicle.
Prosecutors have indicated that additional homicide charges related to driving under the influence of controlled substances could be filed once toxicology reports are completed. Lathers, who was not authorized to drive since her license had been suspended in January, also faces the possibility of being considered a flight risk due to the gravity of the charges.
The case has sparked a strong public reaction, largely due to Lathers' behavior, which, as revealed, included describing herself on social media as "dope in real life" and sharing provocative images. The severity of the incident has led to scrutiny both of her lifestyle and the potential legal consequences she faces for this tragic accident. Meanwhile, Lathers remains at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, awaiting the next legal steps in her case.
FAQs on the Maecee Marie Lathers Case
Given the gravity of the incident involving Maecee Marie Lathers, here are some frequently asked questions to provide more clarity on the situation:
What charges is Maecee Marie Lathers facing?
Maecee Marie Lathers is facing eight felony charges, including two counts of leaving the scene of an accident causing death. Additional charges related to driving under the influence may be filed pending toxicology results.
Why was Lathers considered a flight risk?
Lathers is considered a flight risk due to the severe nature of the charges, which include causing deaths and being under the influence of a controlled substance. Her attempt to leave the scene also contributes to this assessment.
What substance was Lathers under the influence of during the accident?
Lathers was under the influence of a substance known as "pink cocaine" or tusi, which is a ketamine-based party drug.
What were the consequences of the accident Lathers caused?
The accident resulted in the deaths of two occupants of a Suzuki sedan: one passenger died at the scene, and the driver later died from injuries at Jackson Memorial Hospital.