A 35-year-old man was thrown into the air this week and left unconscious in the middle of the road after being struck by a vehicle that fled the scene without stopping in the neighborhood of Allapattah, in northwest Miami.
The violent hit-and-run occurred in the early hours of Tuesday and was recorded in a shocking video captured by the cameras of Luxury Custom Garage.
The incident occurred shortly before 6:00 a.m. at the intersection of Avenue 7 and 27th Street in the northwest.
The images show the man crossing the street in the middle of the block—outside of a crosswalk—while pushing an electric scooter.
In a matter of seconds, a dark vehicle hit him violently, threw him into the air, and continued on its way without offering assistance.
A Miami police officer who was fueling his patrol car at a gas station across the street heard the screeching of tires and the impact.
The police spokesperson Michael Vega described the scene to WSVN 7News: "You hear the screech of the tires, then you hear a thud. You look and see the victim fall to the ground after being struck by the vehicle."
Miami Fire Rescue transported the unconscious man to the Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital. Authorities reported that his recovery is expected.
The driver fled and is now facing serious charges
Vega explained that the pedestrian who was hit was crossing inappropriately, so the responsibility for the accident would fall on the victim.
However, the driver's decision to flee radically changed the legal situation of the case.
"Had he stayed at the scene, nothing would have happened to him, as the pedestrian was at fault for this accident," said Vega, according to CBS Miami.
“This may just be a ticket. But when you leave the scene of an accident, then you face a more serious charge for leaving the scene of an accident with serious injuries,” he added.
Under Florida law, that offense is a second-degree felony, punishable by up to 15 years in prison and fines of up to $10,000, as well as a revocation of the license for at least three years.
Authorities are looking for a black or very dark sedan or SUV with extensive damage to the front and windshield.
Nelson Agustín, owner of Luxury Custom Garage, shared the video in hopes that someone would recognize the vehicle or the driver.
Anyone with information can call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at (305) 471-8477, anonymously and with the possibility of receiving up to $5,000 in reward.
Vega sent a direct message to the person in charge: “If you are the driver of the vehicle, please step forward and do the right thing.”
In Miami-Dade, between 2021 and 2025, hit-and-run accidents accounted for 33.1% of all incidents in the county, resulting in 166 fatalities and over 17,000 injuries.
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