LI Woman Sentenced To 9 Months In Evelyn Rodriguez's Death

CENTRAL ISLIP, NY — A Patchogue woman was sentenced to nine months in jail Thursday for running over anti-gang activist Evelyn Rodriguez with her car in 2018, killing her.

Anne Marie Drago, 60, was convicted by a jury last March on charges of criminally negligent homicide, fourth-degree criminal mischief and petty larceny. She was sentenced by Suffolk County Supreme Court Justice Fernando Camacho.

In September 2018, Rodriguez was on Ray Court in Brentwood setting up a memorial for her 16-year-old daughter, Kayla Cuevas, who was killed by MS-13 gang members, according to Suffolk County District Attorney Timothy Sini.

Drago, who was visiting her mother’s house on Ray Court, stole some memorial items, including candles, a tablecloth, flower bouquets and vases, and tossed them into the garbage, Sini said. She then slashed balloons and put a table, a photo of Kayla and flowers in her car, Sini said. Drago and Rodriguez started arguing and Drago accelerated her car, running over Rodriguez, according to Sini.

"The defendant’s actions that day were unconscionable, first destroying a memorial for a 16-year-old girl then attempting to flee when confronted by a grieving mother," Sini said. "Today’s sentence is a just outcome that holds her accountable for her actions."

Drago's trial started Feb. 27; the jury deliberated for less than a day and found her guilty on all counts.

"Evelyn Rodriguez was a fighter for justice — for her daughter and for all victims of gang violence — until the day she died. Her death, like her daughter’s, was an unthinkable tragedy," Sini said. "While nothing can undo the immense losses suffered by her family, it is my hope that today’s sentence brings them some sense of closure in this tragedy."