One Killed, Several Hospitalized In Massive Crash In Miami

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MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- One person has lost their life in a violent multi-car crash that also injured seven others.

Video showed a Public Works dump truck plow into a yellow taxi Friday afternoon at N.W. 7th Street and 17th Avenue.

Witnesses said the impact was heard from blocks away.

"I was sitting in my office with a client and we heard a very loud noise to the point it was so loud, it shook the house," said Alex Labora, who lives nearby.

Several people ran out to the intersection where 10 vehicles were involved. But when they went to help, the taxi cab burst into flames.

Officials said a woman became trapped in the backseat and died.

"Seeing the impacts of the taxi, I... well, I'm holding my tears," said the Diamond Cab driver, Guillermo Acosta. "I know I'm going to feel it when I go home."

Acosta told CBS4's Ted Scouten that the victim was a regular and got a ride with the company nearly every day for the last 25 years.

Those who made it out of the accident alive were left counting their blessings.

"I just watched it all happen right in front of me," said survivor Jaime Firestone, who was in one of the nearly dozen vehicles involved.

He described the surreal scene as being beyond belief.

"I saw a car coming right at me like the movie Final Destination," Firestone said. "My airbags deployed, I braced for impact and the car smashed me. Crushed my whole front end."

Along with the dump truck, a shuttle bus and a scooter were also involved.

Over at the hospital, several people who were in all the other involved cars are either recovering or being released.

"I'm really thankful... I was born again today," said Greico Dies.

Dies was in a white Hyundai Sonata with a friend and her 6 year old. He was just released from Jackson Memorial Hospital. His friend and her son are still hospitalized but are doing well, he said.

Dies can't even remember which direction he was driving, the impact was so sudden and severe.

"That moment was awful. You don't even realize what's happening when your car is spinning. Suddenly we just saw ourselves involved in that, not even scary. There's nothing, nothing in your mind," he recounted.

Noticeably upset, Miami's city manager did not speak directly to media but he did put out a statement calling the crash "violent and disturbing."

"Our hearts go out to the family members of those people that have been injured. We wish those people get well as soon as possible and to the family of the deceased, I wish there's comfort for them."

A full investigation is underway.