Miramar — A 21-year-old Miramar man who was free on bond while facing DUI manslaughter charges has been ordered back into custody after authorities say he failed to show for 11 court-ordered blood alcohol testing sessions in June.
What changed for residents
The re-arrest removes a defendant from supervised release and returns him to detention while he awaits trial in a crash that left one motorist dead and another seriously injured. Court papers show the bond had been set at $84,000 when he was first arrested in May.
Authorities identified the defendant as Dominick Rella, 21. Rella was initially taken into custody May 21 in connection with a late-March crash in Fort Lauderdale. His release was conditioned on submitting to periodic tests to determine his blood alcohol content, according to court documents.
Details of the crash and charges
Fort Lauderdale police say the collision occurred after Rella ran a red light and struck a BMW. The impact pushed that vehicle into a fire truck. Investigators reported the driver of the car struck by Rella died at a hospital, and a passenger suffered head and spinal injuries and was treated for those wounds.
| Detail | Recorded information |
|---|---|
| Alleged speed at time of crash | 83 mph in a 35-mph zone |
| Initial arrest | May 21 |
| Number of missed sobriety tests | 11 (in June) |
| Judge's order to re-arrest | July 6 |
Legal status and court actions
Court records list charges including DUI manslaughter, reckless driving and driving with a suspended license. Records also show the defendant has entered a not guilty plea to those counts.
Documents indicate Rella was informed of the consequences of refusing the required sobriety testing. After the reported series of missed tests in June, a judge issued an order on July 6 to revoke his release and have him taken back into custody.
- Residents should be aware the defendant is now detained pending further court proceedings.
- The case centers on an early spring crash in Fort Lauderdale that resulted in one death and serious injuries to another occupant.
- Officials say speed and running a red light were factors alleged by investigators.
As the case proceeds through Broward County courts, prosecutors, defense attorneys and law enforcement will handle evidence disclosures and pretrial motions. Local authorities have not released additional public statements beyond the charging and court documents summarized here.
News Block will update this report as new official information becomes available from court records or law enforcement agencies.
