Speeding Driver Of Stolen Car Causes Deadly Crash
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – The driver of a stolen car traveling at a high rate of speed caused a deadly crash early Tuesday morning in northwest Miami-Dade.
Miami-Dade police said the driver was 19-year-old Lanard Gilbert of Homestead, who records show has been arrested before.
Last April, records show he was charged with burglary of an occupied dwelling and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Detectives told CBS4's Peter D'Oench that he is now charged in this latest accident with vehicular homicide in a reckless manner, driving with his license suspended and possession of a weapon by a convicted felon.
The Acura, which was reported stolen from Pembroke Pines, was speeding south on NW 22nd Avenue when it collided with a vehicle at NW 103rd Street.
"It was like an explosion, boom, boom," said Reinaldo Gonzalez.
Gonzalez, who lives nearby, ran out to help the driver.
On impact, the car that was hit slammed into a transmission shop business and erupted in flames. The driver, who was trapped inside, died.
"I ran over there, there was nothing I could do, it was too late, the car was in flames," said Gonzalez.
King Smith, who works across the street from the scene of the crash, said heard the explosion.
"It sounded like a bomb, everybody woke up," he said.
Smith said he and a couple of other people tried to rescue the driver in the Acura.
"A lot of people were trying to get to him, I was one of them, the doors were stuck plus the flames of the other two cars were huge," said Smith.
The driver of the Acura was eventually pulled out of the vehicle and taken into custody, police said they also recovered a gun from the car.
"It's very sad to see innocent people, an innocent bystander, driving home from work and did not make it," said Smith.
Police have not released the name of the driver killed in the crash.
