Search For SUV Driver Involved In North Dade Hit & Run
MIAMI (CBSMiami) - Police have asked for the public's help in finding the driver of an SUV who slammed into a teen on a bike and then drove off.
Mario Contreras said he and three other teens, two on foot and two on bicycles, were heading west on a NW 103rd Street sidewalk around 8 p.m. when the driver of a Hyundai Santa Fe hopped the curb.
"We were not looking for trouble. Simply going to the gas station to get something to drink, minding our own business, Contreras said.
On the way back, that's when he said a vehicle came up from behind and struck his friend.
"We were on the way home on the sidewalk and all I see is a car come, hit someone, he flies off and the bike gets completely run over and just him on the floor," said Contreras. "Who would do that? Who would just keep going and not stop and check if the persons alright?"
The teen who was hit, 17-year old Juan Fernandez, was unconscious when paramedics arrived.
CLICK HERE To Watch Gaby Fleischman's Report
"I just heard a big crash and saw the car scraping part of its bumper there on the sidewalk and it just picked up speed and went that way," said witness Emmanuel Polo. "And then one of the kids over there got in the middle of the street and started crying."
Fernandez's friends ran to help him, but said there was little they could do but call 911.
"We were trying to call his name, 'Juan, Juan.' He would not reply to us. He wouldn't answer to us, not at all," Contreras said.
Fernandez's sister is devastated about what happened to her 17-year-old brother.
"He's a nice guy. He's very obedient. He's always good at home. He don't get in trouble with nobody," said Johanna Fernandez. "We're going through a hard time right now."
Now she and her brother's friends are hoping police will catch the driver who hit him.
"Hopefully if somebody saw they could help us to find who he (driver) is. It would help us a lot," she said.
Fernandez was taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital. A family member told CBS4 the family plans to take Fernandez off life support Thursday night.
Police said they found the vehicle involved in the crash, a blue Hyundai Santa Fe, abandoned near N.W. 101 street and 27th Ave. A routine records check revealed the vehicle was reported stolen. Police say they're still looking for the driver.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (305) 471-TIPS.
RELATED CONTENT:
