Police Say Good Samaritan In Hit & Run Actually Caused Crash

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MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- After a preliminary investigation revealed that an 81-year-old man was struck by a hit-and-run driver, Miami-Dade Police have now determined that a good Samaritan who stuck around to help was actually the one at fault.

"I don't feel good. But what can I do," asked Joe Phen, the victim's son, horrified to learn what happened to his father Tuesday night, June 14th, around 9 p.m.

Techan Phen, 81, was rushed to the Ryder Trauma Center in critical condition.

Officials said he was walking eastbound across N.W. 7th Avenue at West Little River Drive when a northbound vehicle struck him.

"He broke his leg. He broke his hand and he's still on a ventilator," said Joe. "He is not conscious."

It happened not far from China Village, the restaurant on N.W 79th Street at 15th Avenue that Joe has run since 1987. His father had stopped in for a meal before heading home Tuesday evening.

"He comes here to get some food every day and he goes back home on the bus," said Joe, who believes his father was struck while walking to the bus -- a daily ritual.

"He comes here every day and goes to a stop and goes to slot machines and passes by there."

Detectives initially said Phen was struck by a grey pickup truck and indicated that good Samaritan Velma Royal had stopped her car to offer help.

By the following morning, authorities confirmed that it was Royal who actually hit Phen in her light blue Ford Edge.

The car is missing a left side mirror and has damage along its driver side exterior.

Police said Royal told them she didn't realize she was the one who hit him and thought another vehicle did. They said she has been cooperative with police.

Phen is in the intensive care unit with swelling and bleeding in his brain.

An investigation is underway to determine who was at fault, whether or not speeding was a factor or if Phen was jaywalking.

So far, no one has been cited.