LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — It has been almost a month since two sisters were killed in a crash on I-75. Their alleged killer, Tammy Rodriguez, was in court for a hearing today.
Police say Rodriguez, 42, was driving under the influence and turned down the wrong way down the highway at the time of the collision. She faces three charges of murder, including her own sister's death.
The family of Caitlyn Bailey and Taylor Blevins came to court for Rodriguez's preliminary hearing. Rodriguez was brought to court in a wheelchair as a result of injuries from the crash.
Police say she was driving drunk at the time of the collision which led to her fifth DUI charge. Her sister, Debbie Lynn Bevins, who was a passenger in her vehicle was killed when Rodriguez's video struck another car head-on.
Bailey, 20, and Blevins, 26, were also killed. Their family says no amount of time will bring their loved ones back, but they take some comfort in knowing Rodriguez is facing such serious charges.
"I cried tears of happiness because I thought they were going to do manslaughter. I'm glad it's murder charges," said the girls' mother.
Peyton Combs, sister of the victims, says that her heart is broken. On top of her own pain, her 3-year-old daughter Brileigh, who is beginning to understand that her beloved aunts aren't coming home.
Rodriguez's trial will begin on October 1.
