Pretrial hearing held for woman accused of fleeing crash after suffering seizure

TAMPA, Fla. (FOX 13) - Defendant Amber Perera was in a wheelchair when she was brought in to court Monday morning. Sources tell FOX 13 Perera is using a wheelchair because she suffers from seizures.

Expect to hear a lot more about Perera's seizures during the trial, which is set to start next week.

In August of 2017, prosecutors say Perera was driving over 100 miles per hour when she slammed into a Hyundai, killing Luiz Felipak, his wife, Rita, and their 8-year-old daughter, Giorgia.

The jury will likely hear from witness Aaron Despain, who saw the crash and remembers talking to Perera.

"She had had a seizure. I told her that there was a very bad accident back there that help was coming," said Despain.

However, investigators say Perera did not stick around. She fled the scene but did not make it far. Aerial video allegedly shows police catching up with Perera a couple of miles from the crime scene.

While being questioned by detectives, she allegedly said she takes anti-anxiety medication for her seizures.

Perera was emotional after the crash, even breaking down during a bond hearing.

Tears, a wheelchair, and seizures could be a preview of what is ahead for a jury.