“Family over everything” wrote 42-year-old Vilma Vneshta on Facebook with a picture of her only son. Prosecutors now say that same devotion led to her arrest in Florida, accused of helping her son, 20-year-old Alvi Limani, evade authorities after a deadly street racing crash in New Jersey.
Vneshta, an Albanian-American mother from Sunny Isles Beach, was arrested by North Miami police on July 17 together with Limani, who was wanted by New Jersey State Police. Records show Limani was wearing a neck brace when taken into custody, and both were booked at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. The next day, a Miami-Dade judge found probable cause to hold them after authorities confirmed that Vneshta was also wanted on a felony charge in Holmdel, New Jersey. Investigators later stated that Limani had fled to Miami in an attempt to leave the country with his mother.
A video shared on TikTok showed the two shackled in foot chains during their transport. They were later extradited to New Jersey and booked at the Middlesex County Correctional Center on August 6.
According to authorities, Limani was behind the wheel of a BMW X3 on June 29 in Woodbridge Township, New Jersey, racing 23-year-old Jeter Ogando in a BMW M5. Around 7 p.m., Limani’s SUV collided with a Ford SUV and then with Ogando’s BMW before veering off the road, striking several trees, and overturning. Three passengers were in Limani’s car: Albion Hysenaj, 20, Emily Harrington, 19, and a 21-year-old victim. Hysenaj and the other male passenger were ejected from the vehicle. Hysenaj later died at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, while the 21-year-old was hospitalized with serious injuries.
Police reported that Limani, who was driving with a suspended license, fled the crash site with Harrington, leaving the victims behind. Limani now faces a long list of charges including aggravated manslaughter, vehicular homicide, evidence tampering, knowingly leaving the scene of a fatal accident, and multiple counts related to driving with a suspended license. Vneshta is charged with hindering apprehension or prosecution as well as contempt of court and remains behind bars without bond. Ogando, the other driver, faces charges of vehicular homicide and endangering others, while Harrington also faces charges for obstruction and conspiracy.
Authorities in New Jersey continue to investigate the case and are urging anyone with information to contact the Holmdel Station Detective Bureau.
