A Collier County judge on Wednesday granted a motion allowing for a bond reduction for a Bonita Springs teenager facing vehicle homicide charges in a fatal Naples crash while the victim's longtime husband is calling for more rules on the road.
The Dec. 15, 2023, crash at Neapolitan Way and Ninth Street North involved a black Infiniti and a white Audi, resulting in serious injuries to the occupants of the Audi, police said. Police said the crash happened around 5:45 p.m. that day.
Seven days later, police said, a passenger in the Audi, identified as Mary McNamara, 66, of Naples, died from her injuries at Gulf Coast Medical Center, in Fort Myers.
"I've gotta do something in memory of my wife," her husband of 43 years, John McNamara, told the Daily News. "I don't want other people to go through what I'm going through."
John McNamara said Mary McNamara died before her slated retirement. She has since missed two milestones — one of their sons got married while their other son has since run the Boston Marathon.
Among other advocacy efforts, John McNamara said, he has tried to get the city to add red-light cameras. Other cities that use them statewide include Orlando, Sarasota and Miami.
"They can do it to memorialize my wife," he said.
Police said that through a thorough investigation they determined that Martinez Alonso was traveling south on U.S. 41 North at a speed of 66 mph before he accelerated to 81 mph in an attempt to avoid stopping at a red light. Martinez Alonso passed multiple vehicles slowing for the traffic light.
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Authorities said Martinez Alonso struck the Audi on the passenger side door, where McNamara was seated.
Police said that on April 19, the Assistant State Attorney who reviewed the investigation and evidence determined there was probable cause for the arrest of Martinez Alonso.
Collier Circuit Judge John McGowan on Wednesday ruled in favor of the teenager after his attorney, George Reres, filed a motion seeking a reduction of bond May 10.
Martinez Alonso, a high school student at the time of the crash, had remained in custody on $100,000 bond since his arrest. The motion filed by Reres equated the amount to "no bond."
According to the motion, Martinez Alonso voluntarily met with Naples police when he was arrested.
Court documents say he has one sister and three brothers. His mother works detailing cars, while his father works for a tomato company, according to the motion.
Reres indicated in the motion that Martinez Alonso is attempting to take classes in jail as he aims to graduate on time.
Martinez Alonso was working as a busser at Truluck’s at the time of the accident and at the time of his arrest, his attorney indicated. He had worked there since August 2023 and was detailing cars on the side.
Reres said the teenager would attempt to go back to school to graduate on time and he "would immediately go back to work." He plans to attend trade school, hoping to become a professional welder or a diesel mechanic, his attorney noted.
Martinez Alonso turned 18 on Oct. 22, 2023 — less than two months before the crash.
McGowan granted the motion on several conditions. The judge cut the bond amount by half to $50,000 and ordered that he be fitted with a GPS monitor prior to his release and have no contact with McNamara's next of kin.
Martinez Alonso is not allowed to drive while the criminal case remains active, McGowan ruled.
Jail records indicate Martinez Alonso was released Wednesday evening after he remained in custody for almost three months. He is next due in court Aug. 22 for a case management conference.
Tomas Rodriguez is a Breaking/Live News Reporter for the Naples Daily News and The News-Press. You can reach Tomas at TRodriguez@gannett.com or 772-333-5501. Connect with him on Threads @tomasfrobeltran, Instagram @tomasfrobeltran and Facebook @tomasrodrigueznews.
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