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Vigil Held For Pedestrian Killed In NW Miami-Dade

NORTHWEST MIAMI-DADE (CBS4) - Family and friends held a candlelight vigil Wednesday night to remember a father killed as he stood on the sidewalk.

Jean Ruiz died when an SUV hit him last week.  Police say the driver was fleeing the scene of another crash.

Police say Jonathan Eismann was driving along NW 72nd avenue when he hit another car, fled that crash scene and careened out of control into Ruiz.

Friends surrounded Ruiz's wife and one year-old daughter as they prayed and lit candles.

Joseph Ochoa described Ruiz as, "always happy and dancing,  happy and dancing, and showing off his daughter."

Police say charges are pending against Eismann.   According to CBS4 News partners at the Miami Herald, Eismann was a prominent South Florida chef.  We reached out to Eismann, but the person who answered his phone had no comment about the crash.

Some of Ruiz's friends say they're angry that there has been no arrest, but Ochoa has a different idea of justice.

"I'd like to hear from the person who did accidentally or fleeing whatever he did.  It's human, but the fact is this family needs help and that's really my concern," he said. "I don't think he meant to hit my friend but i think if he has means to help he should."

 

 

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