Family Makes Impassioned Plea In Deadly US1 Crash
MIAMI (CBS4) – The family of a woman who died Wednesday morning in a hit and run accident on U.S. 1 asked the public for help in finding the driver responsible.
The accident occurred just after 6 a.m. when a white pickup truck collided with 71-year old Ana Zuniga's silver Honda at SW 17th Avenue. Investigators said truck clipped the Honda from behind caused Zuniga's car to lose control and collide with a tree in the median. Zuniga was pronounced dead on the scene. The driver of the white pickup truck took off.
As several people attempted to help Ms. Zuniga, a second accident took place causing everyone to run for safety. The second accident involved three vehicles and the parties involved were treated for minor bruises.
"We had several individuals that stopped to render aid, they ran across the street to Miss Zuniga, but within minutes there was a secondary crash and they ran for dear life, they scattered," said police spokesman Det. Willie Moreno.
Detectives are searching for the driver of a white pickup truck who fled southbound on Dixie Highway. Additionally, they would like to talk to two witnesses who were speaking with officers prior to the second accident.
Zuniga's family turned to the media Thursday to ask that these witnesses get in contact with police and that the driver of the truck turn himself in.
"It could happen to you, it happened to us, please help us, it could be your mom," said Zuniga's son Gustavo.
Zuniga was a professional cleaning lady. She also raised her daughter Patricia and son Gustavo on her own.
"She asked me if I thought she was going to live to see my daughter's wedding," said Zuniga's daughter Patricia Nevil. "I told her 'You have twenty more years at least', now I feel cheated."
Wednesday evening police said they received a tip about a man who may have been involved in the crash.
"We're following several leads within those several leads this is one of those leads we received an
anonymous call," said police spokesman Det. Willie Moreno.
When officers went to the area where the man reportedly lived they found a white pick up truck in an apartment building's parking lot in the 15-hundred block of NW 19th Terrace. They also learned that its owner, 23-year old Raul Hernandez, lived in one of the apartments.
After knocking on Hernandez's door, police asked if they could see his ID. When Hernandez handed them his wallet, police say the officers found a plastic bag inside with what appeared to cocaine. Hernandez was arrested for possession of a substance suspected of being an illegal narcotic and taken to police headquarters where it was discovered there was a bench warrant out for his arrest for driving with a suspended license. Police said there was not enough evidence to charge Hernandez in connection with the crash.
