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A Cuban from Hialeah was arrested this Sunday after hitting a construction worker in Miami Springs and fleeing the scene, leaving him lying on the pavement “writhing in pain,” authorities reported.
According to the arrest report, Elkis Rivero, 45 years old, of Cuban nationality and a resident of the city of Hialeah, was driving at excessive speed when he struck the victim's left leg, causing a fracture, while the front passenger side mirror hit him in the torso and detached from the vehicle.
A police officer from Miami Springs was passing by the area while responding to another call and saw the worker on the asphalt, on the 500 block of East Drive, around 12:50 a.m. on Sunday.
The victim was "screaming in pain" and " begging for help," authorities said, and was taken to the Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital in critical condition.
Later, he told the police that while he was retrieving the equipment from his vehicle, he saw a Ford F-150 approaching him at "high speed."
The Miami Springs Police Department issued an alert, and shortly thereafter, the Hialeah police informed them that their officers had stopped the F-150 in the 500 block of East 23rd Street “for colliding with two vehicles and fleeing the scene,” according to the report cited by the news channel Local 10.
The report warns that the truck “was missing the rearview mirror on the front passenger side and had severe damage to the front.”
According to the police, Rivero stated that he had dined at the Pato Tipico restaurant on Northwest 36th Street, about two blocks south of the accident site, and drove north on East Drive, but he did not remember hitting the victim.
The Cuban has been detained at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center since Monday morning and faces charges for leaving the scene of an accident causing serious bodily injury, knowingly driving with a suspended license, and driving with an expired license for over six months.
A bail had not yet been set for Rivero, according to the online penitentiary records.
Frequently Asked Questions about Hit-and-Run Cases in Miami
What happened to Elkis Rivero after the accident in Miami Springs?
Elkis Rivero was arrested on Sunday after hitting a construction worker and fleeing the scene. He faces charges for leaving the accident scene, driving with a suspended license, and having an expired license for more than six months.
What are the legal consequences of leaving the scene of an accident in Florida?
In Florida, the penalties for leaving the scene of an accident that has caused serious bodily injury can be severe. The crime is classified as a second-degree felony, with a sentence of up to 15 years in prison or probation and a fine of $10,000.
What similarities exist between the case of Elkis Rivero and other hit-and-run cases in Miami?
The case of Elkis Rivero shares similarities with other incidents in Miami, where drivers flee the scene after causing an accident. These cases reflect a troubling trend of hit-and-runs, such as that of Yulizan Ochoa and Zeniel Francisco Cabrera, who have also faced or are facing charges for similar situations.
How was Elkis Rivero identified as the person responsible for the hit-and-run?
The Hialeah police stopped Rivero's vehicle after it collided with two cars and fled the scene. The truck had damage consistent with the accident, such as the absence of a side mirror, which helped identify it as the one responsible.
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