Woman Convicted In Death Of Activist Evelyn Rodriguez

CENTRAL ISLIP, NY — A Patchogue woman was convicted on Wednesday for causing the death of anti-gang activist Evelyn Rodriguez in Brentwood in 2018 by fatally striking her with her car, according to Suffolk County District Attorney Timothy D. Sini. Annmarie Drago, 59, was convicted by a jury on charges of criminally negligent homicide, fourth-degree criminal mischief and petty larceny, Sini said.

In September 2018, Rodriguez, 50, of Brentwood, was on Ray Court setting up a memorial for her 16-year-old daughter, Kayla Cuevas. The teenager was slain by MS-13 gang members around the same area nearly two years prior, Sini said. A vigil commemorating her death was scheduled for that evening on Ray Court. The memorial included a table decorated with candles, glass vases containing flowers, balloons, and a large photograph of Kayla. Rodriguez also placed a large floral arrangement on a wire stand next to the table.

Drago, who was visiting her mother's house on Ray Court, threw several items from the memorial in the garbage, including candles, a tablecloth, flower bouquets and vases, Sini said. The 59-year-old also slashed the balloons placed at the memorial before throwing them in the garbage, Sini said. She then stole the rest of the memorial items and placed them in the back of her Nissan Rogue, including the table, the photograph of Kayla and the large floral arrangement, Sini said.

Afterward, Rodriguez confronted Drago and during a dispute over the stolen and damaged items, Drago abruptly accelerated her car, striking Rodriguez with the front left tire and rear left tire. Rodriguez was transported to Southside Hospital in Bay Shore, where she was pronounced dead.

"We in the law enforcement community worked with Evelyn Rodriguez on many anti-gang initiatives," Sini said. "Evelyn spent much of her time and energy fighting for justice for others, and today we were able to obtain justice for Evelyn."

Opening statements in the trial took place last month. The jury deliberated for less than a day before returning a verdict of guilty on all counts. Drago is due back in court April 10. She faces a maximum sentence of one to four years in prison.