Suspect Identified In Hit & Run That Left UM Student In Coma
SOUTH MIAMI (CBS4) - The car police say was involved in a hit-and-run accident has been located and the owner of the car has been arrested.
But, police say, the actual driver, is still on the loose.
Investigators say they found the Mercedes Benz hit 19-year-old UM Freshman Eliza Gresh and took off. The hit-and-run accident happened last Friday at 4:30 in the morning on U.S. 1 and Red Road.
Police say 24-year-old Luis Moya was behind the wheel and is now on the run, but South Miami Police Chief Orlando Martinez de Castro reached Moya by phone.
"And I said, Luis, your time is over. I suggest you come and see me as soon as you can," said Chief Martinez de Castro.
The Chief says Moya told him, "I was going to talk to my attorney and turn myself in Monday." The chief says he told Moya Monday was too late.
How did police find the car? Police say Moya's mom brought it to a body shop in Hialeah. Investigators say she told the shop and her insurance company that she had an accident on Sunday. The owner of the shop got suspicious. When he saw the Mercedes on TV, he called police.
"He made that phone call, we got on it, went straight there to check, took the pieces of the car with us, and they matched, exactly what it was," said Major Rene Landa of South Miami Police.
Police say they told Moya, if he didn't turn himself in, his mom Zoila would be arrested for filing a fraudulent insurance claim. Moya reportedly told police to arrest his mom. They did.
CBS4 News dug up Moya's traffic history. In just five years: 42 traffic citations, including reckless and careless driving. Police say the Feds have warned Moya that he could be deported to the Dominican Republic if he's arrested again.
"And he knows that because he told me. I have a problem with immigration. I said I know! But now you're a fugitive, that's not going to help you at all," said Chief Martinez de Castro.
If you know where Luis Moya is, call Miami-Dade Crimestoppers at 305-471-TIPS.
