2 days ago
Female comedian's life ends tragically after 'drunk judge with naked woman on his lap sped at her in his truck'
An up-and-coming comedienne was killed after a retired judge allegedly plowed drunk into her with his truck with a naked woman on his lap.
Thaís Bonatti, 30, was biking to her restaurant job early Thursday morning in Araćatuba, Brazil, when Fernando Rodrigues, 61, slammed his Ford Ranger pickup truck into her on the street, according to reports.
Bonatti was rushed to the hospital and underwent two surgeries before succumbing to her injuries on Saturday.
According to a police report, Rodrigues and his companion had left a nightclub and were stopped near a supermarket when he drove the vehicle in the wrong direction and ran into Bonatti.
Surveillance footage seen by authorities showed the woman was nude and trying to get off the judge's lap when the vehicle came to a stop.
She then put her clothes on and abandoned the scene.
Rodrigues smelled strongly of alcohol and had slurred speech when cops approached him, the police report stated.
He was charged with manslaughter and released Friday after paying 40,000 Brazilian reals (around $7,150) in bail.
According to a police report, retied judge Fernando Rodrigues, 61, and his companion had left a nightclub and were stopped near a supermarket when he drove the vehicle in the wrong direction and ran into Bonatti
Rodrigues' defense team lamented Bonatti's death in a statement released on behalf of the retired judge's family.
'Dr. Fernando's family expresses its deepest condolences and solidarity with the victim's family, reaffirming its absolute respect for their pain and mourning,' the statement said.
'Since the incident, they have been offering support to the victim's family.'
Bonatti's brother, William de Andrade, was stunned by the decision to release Rodrigues.
'At that time, I was looking for a coffin for my sister. He paid bail and left,' he told TV TEM.
'He would certainly be sleeping with his family at that time, and I was at the hospital going through the formalities for my sister to be buried.'
Bonatti was known for performing at stand-up comedy clubs in the southwest region of the state of São Paulo.
'She wasn't mean, 30 years old with the mind of a 20-year-old, besides being a happy and hard-working girl,' de Andrade said.
'This pain we are going through is very difficult, only God can help us bear it.'
Mourners flooded Bonatti's social media accounts with tributes following her death.
'I love you my friend,' one wrote.
