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6:07 a.m. • 2-10-12

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Durham toddler dies after suspected drunk driving wreck


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Isabella Zepka
Isabella Zepka

A 2-year-old Durham girl died this weekend of injuries sustained in a wreck in Orlando, Fla., that authorities say was caused by a drunken driver.

Isabella Zepka was taken off life support Saturday, a hospital spokesman told CBS affiliate WKMG. She had suffered a fractured skull and internal injuries in the wreck Wednesday evening.

According to the wreck report, Isabella's 43-year-old father, Robert, was turning left when their PT Cruiser was T-boned by black Cadillac driven by John Molnar, 36, of Davenport, Fla.

Isabella's 9-year-old brother, Alexander, also suffered serious injuries, while her father had minor injuries. Molnar wasn't injured.

The wreck report says that Molnar ran a red light and appeared to be intoxicated. He was charged with driving while intoxicated and possession of cocaine and later released on a $11,000 bond.

Since Isabella died, authorities plan to upgrade charges against him.

The Zepka family was vacationing in Florida.

RELATED TOPICS: Durham, Florida Keys Oil Spill

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35 Comments


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more on Molnars past here...

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/breakingnews/orl-bk-girl-dies-crash-080809,0,780548,comment-display-all.story

If you want to stop drunk driving - similar to the implementation of 'air bags' to make us all safer - why not make interlock ignition devices (breathalyzers) MANDATORY on all US sold vehicles. I realize this opens a potential can of worms, such as regular calibration of the device, etc. But... it could be done - but I don't see it ever happening.

I think his bond will be raised. It appears it was set before the precious little girl died. Wouldn't be surprised to see it go to 100K or higher when the new charges have been filed.

What a tragic story. Many folks here don't seem to understand that bond is not intended to be punishment. It's not a fine. It's just an amount of money you (or a bondsman) have to give the court that the court holds to ensure that you show up for your trial. By showing up for the trial, you get the money back (less the bondsman's fees).

His punishment will be determined at the trial. So he's not getting off with just a $11k fine. He'll likely go to jail. Or so we hope.

"What a shame that he gets to walk free after only an $11K bond?!"

AMEN, AND AMEN!!!

When a death has occurred due to a drunk driver, their bond should never be less than $1M - BECAUSE THEIR SELFISHNESS CAUSED A DEATH.

Praying for the family.

God bless.

RB

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