An arrest has been made in connection with the April 21 motor vehicle collision which took the life of 48-year-old Naji El-Kadi.

Following the issuing of an arrest warrant yesterday, Jessica Ann Araujo, 25, surrendered at the Turner Gilford Knight Correctional Center Wednesday morning.

Investigators say that around 1:30 a.m. on April 21, a Hyundai driven by Araujo, traveling south on SW 127 Avenue at a high rate of speed, disregarded a red light, striking a Toyota Prius traveling east on SW 120 Street.  The collision redirected the two vehicles and they struck a Toyota Corolla, which was stationary facing north on SW 127 Avenue.

Naji El-Kadi, who was driving the Toyota Prius, was airlifted to Kendall Regional Trauma Center in critical condition. He later succumbed to his injuries.  Araujo and the driver of the Corolla were transported to nearby hospitals with non-life threatening injuries. 

Investigators suspected Araujo may have been impaired by alcohol and/or drugs. A Driver Impairment Officer responded to the hospital to conduct blood withdrawals.

Araujo has been charged with the following:

• DUI Manslaughter

• Vehicular Homicide/Reckless

• Cocaine Possession

• DUI/ Bodily Injury to Another

• Serious Bodily Injury/ Reckles