FHP Recovers SUV Suspected In Deadly SW Dade Hit & Run
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – The Florida Highway Patrol has recovered an SUV they believe was involved in a deadly hit and run crash early Tuesday morning in southwest Miami-Dade.
The accident happened just after midnight at SW 40th Street/Bird Road and SW 97th Avenue.
According to witnesses a Toyota Yaris was were heading westbound on Bird Road when it was struck from behind in the intersection by a light colored Cadillac Escalade traveling at a high rate of speed. On impact the car shot across the sidewalk and slammed into a light pole.
The driver of the Yaris, 67-year old Carlos Jesus Pildain, was killed. His wife, Dixiana, had to cut from the mangled wreckage. She was taken to Kendall Regional Medical Center in serious condition.
"She was conscious and you know she tried to smack his face to see if he was conscious or something and he never reacted to it," said Manuela Herrera who saw the crash.
German Rodriguez witnessed the crash and followed the Escalade as it sped off.
"You know I tried to follow him as fast as possible. I tried to do the right thing. I called 9-1-1 and they told me to stop following the guy. I gave them as much information as possible and tried to help out as much as I could," said Rodriguez. "I came back and saw all his tools on the ground. A working guy and his wife, all his tools on the ground, it was heartbreaking."
Rodriguez said the driver of Escalade was going so fast, he was unable to get the license plate number.
The FHP was able to locate the SUV they believe was involved and have taken it to their headquarters off the Turnpike Extension near 107th Avenue. They have not said if the suspected driver is in custody.
