Struck, Killed Another Woman after Removing Memorial of Victim’s Daughter
A Patchogue woman pleaded guilty to criminally negligent homicide for fatally striking another woman after removing the memorial of the victim’s daughter.
On September 14, 2018, at approximately 3:45 p.m., Annmarie Drago removed items from a memorial site created by Evelyn Rodriguez in memory of her 16-year-old daughter, Kayla Cuevas, which was on the sidewalk in front of Drago’s home in Brentwood.
The location of the memorial marked the location near where Cuevas had been killed by gang violence in 2018. Drago threw out or destroyed many of the memorial items, including a large photo board of Cuevas, as well as a large floral wreath which she placed in the back of her vehicle.
Rodriguez and her partner were called to the memorial site by members of the media who were present. The media filmed the confrontation when Rodriguez demanded Drago return the items. At approximately 4:15 p.m., while Rodriguez was standing near the front driver’s side tire of Drago’s vehicle, Drago attempted to leave the scene. Drago accelerated her vehicle, knocking Rodriguez down, and then continued to drive over her. Rodriguez suffered multiple injuries, including a skull fracture. She was taken to Southside Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
In March 2020, Drago, 63, was convicted after a jury trial heard before Acting State Supreme Court Judge Fernando M. Camacho, of Criminally Negligent Homicide, a Class E felony; Criminal Mischief in the Fourth Degree, a Class A misdemeanor; and Petit Larceny, a Class A misdemeanor. One year later, in March 2021, Drago was sentenced to nine months in jail. In July 2022, the Appellate Division reversed that conviction, and the case was sent back to Suffolk County Court for a re-trial.
On October 20, 2023, Annmarie Drago was found guilty after a re-trial by a jury heard before State Supreme Court Judge Richard Ambro, for Petit Larceny, a Class A misdemeanor. She was acquitted of Criminal Mischief in the Fourth Degree, a Class A misdemeanor, charge. A mistrial was declared on the Criminally Negligent Homicide charge and the District Attorney’s Office said it would retry the case.
On May 31, 2024, Drago pleaded guilty before Ambro to Criminally Negligent Homicide and is expected to receive five years of probation. The District Attorney’s Office recommended Drago serve one to three years in prison.
Drago is due back in court for sentencing on August 1, 2024.
“Evelyn Rodriguez was still mourning the loss of her daughter when this defendant dismantled her daughter’s memorial, and then struck the victim with her vehicle, ultimately causing her death. We hope this plea brings some sense of peace and closure to Ms. Rodriguez’s family, a family that has suffered multiple tragic losses, said Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney. “My office is committed to continue Ms. Rodriguez’s fight to combat the scourge of gang violence, and to make our streets safer for all residents of Suffolk County.”