A chilling event took place on Tuesday night in Miami, a fatal hit-and-run that has left the local community shocked and deeply saddened. According to Miami police, the incident occurred at 8:39 p.m. at the intersection of Southwest Eighth Avenue and Eighth Street, involving a car and a pedestrian.
The Incident
Upon arrival at the scene, officers found a man in his 40s who had been struck down by a car. The victim was crossing Eighth Street from north to south at Eighth Court. Miami Fire Rescue personnel swiftly transported him to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center, where, despite the best efforts of the medical team, he tragically succumbed to his injuries.
Police stated that the driver involved in the incident would not have been cited since the victim was not supposed to be crossing at that particular area. However, the driver’s decision to flee the scene has escalated the situation to a criminal case. If found, the driver will be criminally charged.
An Appeal for Information
The Miami police force is now urging anyone with further information about the incident to aid in their investigation. Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers can be reached at 305-471-8477. The identity of the victim and the driver are yet to be released.
Hit-and-Run Statistics
According to a report by the Insurance Information Institute, hit-and-run crashes have been on a steady increase in the United States. In 2015 there were 737,100 hit-and-run crashes, accounting for 11.7% of all crashes. Furthermore, Florida ranks third in the nation for the most hit-and-run crashes, making this incident a stark reminder of the ongoing issue.
This tragic incident underscores the crucial importance of responsible driving and the devastating consequences of hit-and-run incidents. The local community hopes that the driver will be found and brought to justice, providing some measure of closure for the victim’s family and friends.
In the meantime, the Miami Police Department continues to diligently investigate the case, hoping to bring a swift resolution to this tragic event.