An 82-year-old Miami woman has avoided incarceration after pleading guilty to leaving the scene of a crash that seriously injured a 7-year-old boy who was riding an electric scooter, court records show.
Karina Pubchara-Martinez was sentenced to five months' probation after pleading guilty to leaving the scene of a crash with serious injury. The incident occurred around noon on Jan. 10, 2026, at the intersection of SW 32nd Street and SW 82nd Avenue in Miami.
Background
According to a probable cause arrest affidavit, the boy was traversing the intersection on his scooter while his mother followed behind him on foot. As he attempted to cross SW 32nd Street, authorities say Pubchara-Martinez struck him with her Toyota Camry before fleeing the scene without stopping.
When police arrived, they discovered the child lying "unable to move" on the side of the road. Paramedics transported him to a local hospital where medical personnel documented an acute head injury, a broken femur, and additional scrapes and bruises. The boy's mother told WTVJ she believes her son could have died had she not been nearby.
Investigators spent nearly two weeks tracking down the driver. On Jan. 22, authorities located Pubchara-Martinez's Camry approximately three miles from the crash site. Law enforcement documented front-end damage to the vehicle consistent with striking a pedestrian. Detectives placed her at the scene using cellphone location data obtained during their investigation.
The Charges
Pubchara-Martinez turned herself in to authorities and posted a $7,500 bond. While she declined to speak with investigators, she provided extensive comments to WTVJ, appearing to place responsibility for the collision on the child himself.
"I was passing through and they didn't stop when they're supposed to stop and they hit me," Pubchara-Martinez told the station. She also offered an explanation for fleeing: "I got afraid because my glasses weren't on my face and I ran away and that's very bad."
The boy's mother expressed disbelief that a driver could strike a child and leave without rendering assistance.
"Had I not been outside, I probably would've found him dead or something," she said. She noted the child has undergone numerous surgeries and faces an extended recovery process.
"He has a long road ahead of him," she added.
The child remains hospitalized with medical staff noting he has undergone multiple surgeries since the collision. According to his mother, he will require extensive rehabilitation as he continues recovering from his head injury and broken femur, with physicians describing his prognosis as requiring prolonged treatment and follow-up care.
Key Takeaways
- Pubchara-Martinez pleaded guilty to leaving the scene of a crash with serious injury
- She received five months' probation with no jail time
- The 7-year-old victim suffered a head injury, broken femur, and additional injuries
- Investigators used cellphone location data to place her at the scene
- Police located her damaged vehicle nearly two weeks after the incident, approximately three miles from the crash site
What's Next
Pubchara-Martinez will serve out her probation sentence under supervision. The child continues recovering from his injuries, with medical staff noting he has undergone multiple surgeries since the collision.