Fatal Florida Crash: Indian-Origin Driver Denied Bail, Deemed 'Unauthorized Alien' by US Judge

A tragic incident on Florida's roads has led to a dramatic legal turn, as an Indian-origin driver, Shiwangi Ravindra Bhende, was unequivocally denied bail by a US judge, who firmly labeled her an 'unauthorized alien.' The ruling comes after Bhende was involved in a horrific vehicular crash that claimed the lives of two individuals, including a pregnant woman and her unborn child, along with a 10-year-old boy.

The case, presided over by Judge Miguel de la O in Miami-Dade County, saw Bhende charged with multiple serious offenses: two counts of vehicular homicide, one count of reckless driving, driving without a valid license causing serious injury, and leaving the scene of an accident.

During the bond hearing, Judge de la O delivered a stern decision, stating, 'You are an unauthorized alien. You were in the country on an expired visa. That bond is revoked.' This declaration underscores the severe immigration implications now intertwined with the criminal charges.

Court documents reveal that Bhende, who was allegedly driving a Hyundai in the wrong lane, collided with a Volkswagen, resulting in the tragic fatalities.

The victims were identified as the driver of the Volkswagen, who was pregnant, and a young 10-year-old boy. Adding to the gravity of the situation, Bhende reportedly fled the scene of the devastating accident before being apprehended.

Initially, Bhende had been granted a USD 250,000 bond following her arrest.

However, subsequent developments, particularly the revelation of her immigration status and the severity of the charges, prompted the prosecution to successfully argue for the revocation of her bail. The judge's decision cited Bhende's expired student visa and her actions following the crash as primary reasons for deeming her a flight risk and a danger to the community.

This high-profile case highlights the critical intersection of immigration law and criminal justice in the United States.

The denial of bail for Shiwangi Ravindra Bhende sends a clear message about the legal consequences faced by individuals found to be in the country illegally, especially when implicated in such grave offenses. As the legal proceedings continue, the families of the victims seek justice, while Bhende prepares to face the full weight of the charges against her.