The Miami police have identified Andrew Loretta, a 50-year-old man, as the fatal victim of a violent hit-and-run that occurred on Tuesday night in the Shenandoah neighborhood.
The tragic incident occurred just before 7:00 p.m. at the intersection of Southwest 21st Avenue and Southwest 18th Street, when Loretta was struck by a vehicle traveling at high speed while the victim was running along the west side of the avenue.
The impact, which caused his immediate death and flung him several meters through the air, has shocked the community and rekindled concerns about speeding in the area.
How the accident happened
The scene was captured by surveillance cameras and videos recorded by witnesses. According to the police, the driver of the vehicle, identified as Andrés Roberto Fiallo Estupiñán, 36 years old, was driving a Volkswagen Passat at high speed heading south.
According to the arrest report cited by CBS News Miami, the car struck Loretta “from behind... causing her to be thrown into the air while severing both of her legs.”
Loretta passed away at the scene due to the force of the impact. After the collision, Fiallo Estupiñán's vehicle crashed into an ice cream truck where a woman was present, resulting in her injury, and then continued on its path until it struck two parked cars.
Researchers indicate that the driver did not show any signs of braking before the collision.
Citizen Arrest: Witnesses Take Action
Instead of stopping to offer assistance, Fiallo Estupiñán abandoned the vehicle and ran away through Shenandoah Park.
However, he was quickly intercepted by neighbors.
In a video shared by local media, several bystanders are seen confronting the suspect and holding him until the police arrive.
"He entered the park and a group of people knocked him down and held him down... until the police arrived," declared Marcos Mere.
The arrest report confirms that the detainee did not attempt to contact emergency services and was later identified using an expired driver's license.
Fiallo Estupiñán was taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital for minor injuries and faces charges for leaving the scene of a fatal accident and for serious bodily injury.
The victim: A devoted father and beloved member of the community
Andrew Loretta was not only a regular runner in the area, but also a husband and father of two teenagers, Lili and Lucas, aged 17 and 13.
His wife, Michelle Loretta, shared a poignant tribute on social media:
“Andy Loretta, my husband and the father of our children… passed away yesterday. He was hit by a car while running and died. He was only 50 years old”, she wrote on Instagram.
He also described him as "the personification of a generous person, with a completely selfless heart and a beautiful soul."
The lawyer and family friend, Raúl Chacón, stated to the media that the loss has been "tragic" and "shocking" for everyone who knew him. He expressed confidence that the authorities will act decisively
"We trust that the authorities will do everything in their power to investigate this tragedy and ensure that the full weight of the law is applied," he said in statements reported by CBS News.
An online campaign has been launched to support the university education of the victim's children, who are now left financially vulnerable.
Neighborhood on alert: Demands for security measures
The tragedy has only strengthened the call from the residents for increased road safety in Shenandoah.
The area, which is home to a school, a park, and a library, has been the scene of numerous incidents related to speeding.
"This street is incredibly reckless... I always have to be very careful when crossing... because I never know who is going to come running around the corner," warned Carmen Peláez, a local resident.
Other voices were even more critical. Denise Gálvez, a mother living in the area, revealed that her son was playing nearby at the time of the accident.
"My heart sank... I couldn't get in touch with him," she stated. She also reported that she has been asking for roundabouts and safety measures near the park and the school for years, without success.
“Today I saw a red Corvette zoom by. We can't wait for another tragedy to take action,” said Rafael Barrios, a worker at a nearby school, in statements to Telemundo 51.
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