Miami Police Find Car Wanted In Deadly Hit & Run
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Miami Police said they have found the car wanted in a deadly hit and run.
The vehicle – a 2006 green Chrysler 300 sedan with front-end damage – was found at a home located at 3087 NW 11 Street on Monday.
"This a critical piece of evidence," said Miami Police Officer Kenia Fallat.
Fallat told CBS4's Peter D'Oench that they "discovered this vehicle after a number of tips from the public."
She said police were trying to determine who the driver of the car was.
Guillermo Garcia, who lives at the property, said he believed the vehicle belonged to the son of a neighbor who lives in one of the apartments at that home. Police could not say if that was correct.
Garcia said the neighbor's son had visited the home from time and he said he had not seen him since the vehicle was dropped off.
Meantime, the mother of 33-year old Pedro Gonzalez, who was hit and killed while walking his dog, said she is grateful that the vehicle has been recovered and is thanking the public for its tips that lead to the vehicle.
Carmen Montoya told CBS4's Oralia Ortega that it was just a "matter of time" before there's an arrest in the case. She said an arrest would give her "closure."
She is pleading for the driver to come forward.
"I love my son dearly. He was the light of my life. I am a single mom," said Montoya. "Please if anybody knows anything come forward. It could be somebody you love tomorrow. This hits a nerve. If you were a witness, come forward you have a social responsibility."
Surveillance cameras from a nearby business captured Pedro and his dog moments before the crash.
On Saturday night, a car struck and killed the martial arts instructor off NW 12th Avenue and 4th Street before speeding off.
The victim's mother said it was her son's beloved dog he rescued from a shelter six months ago that let her know something was wrong.
She said the dog ran from the scene to the apartment building, scratched on the door to the building and was allowed in. He then ran to the elevator, waited for the doors to open, went up to the seventh floor, got out, ran to the mother's apartment and scratched on her door.
That's when Montoya went looking for her son and when she saw police and an ambulance in the area, she knew something bad had happened.
Montoya said the dog was named "Mr. V.P."
Rescue crews rushed Montoya to the hospital where he died a day later.
Now, Carmen is left looking for justice in the death of her son.
"We are going to find you even if it takes 20 years," she said.
Anyone with information is urged to call Miami-Dade Police at (305) 471- TIPS.
