Traffic safety czar: Judge’s statements after Nevárez’s resentencing were irresponsible

Traffic Safety Commission Executive Director José “Memo” González Mercado

By THE STAR STAFF

Traffic Safety Commission Executive Director José “Memo” González Mercado reacted on Tuesday to statements made a day earlier by Judge Wanda Cruz Ayala during the resentencing hearing in the case of Mayra Enid Nevárez Torres, who was convicted of causing the death of Justin Santos Delanda in a violent two-car crash on the Teodoro Moscoso Bridge in 2021.

“Using the bench to attack the government of Puerto Rico, to attack the Legislature, and to wish good luck to a person who killed an innocent person is irresponsible on the part of the judge,” González said at a press conference.

The official added that although he respects the judiciary, the judge’s remarks did not take into account the reality of the victims’ families who were present in the courtroom during the hearing, including the mother of Santos Delanda and other parents who are still awaiting the conclusion of legal proceedings regarding the deaths of their children.

“Justice was served yesterday, and today we thank the Supreme Court for its decision in this case, and we thank the specialized prosecutors who fought hard in this case to ensure that the appropriate sentence was handed down: 15 years in prison,” he said.

The former legislator maintained that the judge was obligated to comply with the sentence ordered by the appellate courts and that, had it not been for the intervention of the Supreme Court and the existing legislation, Nevárez would have continued serving her sentence at her residence.

Nevárez was resentenced to 15 years of imprisonment for causing the death of Santos Delanda and inflicting serious bodily harm on Keven Monserrate Gandía after driving while intoxicated and against traffic on the Moscoso Bridge, in an incident that occurred on Nov. 21, 2021.

The original sentence of house arrest was overturned by the Court of Appeals, a ruling that was subsequently upheld by the Supreme Court.