Family Asks Public For Help In Finding Hit & Run Driver
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) - The family of a teen killed in a hit and run accident is asking for the public's help Monday to find the driver responsible.
Dericka Banks, 18, according to investigators, was headed to the store with her boyfriend and was crossing NW 54th Street just east of 13th Avenue when she got stuck in the middle of the road between traffic.
Banks, who suffered head trauma and multiple broken bones, was rushed to Jackson Memorial Hospital where she died two weeks after the accident.
Banks mother, Veronica Banks, said Monday that before her daughter died at the hospital, she made a promise to her that she would find whoever hit her and get justice.
"I told her I'm gonna get justice, justice is gonna be revealed," Veronica Banks said.
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Derrick Banks, the victim's brother, has a message for the driver who took his sister's life.
"I wanna let the person know who did this to her that you are no longer a human being--you are a monster because you left her there to die," said Derrick Banks.
The 18-year-old's family said Monday that Dericka Banks, a junior at Northwestern Senior High, had plans to go to college and become a teacher.
"I'm gonna miss my baby a lot, my daughter man. She was just 18 her life had just begun. She had goals for herself," Veronica Banks said.
Miami police said area surveillance cameras captured an image of the car they are looking for - a green 2008 Toyota Corolla CE.
Police said the driver swerved to avoid Banks but instead slammed into her and kept driving.
"I don't think speed was an issue in this case. It was just that the driver didn't see her until the last second," said Detective Joseph Kennedy with the City of Miami Police Department.
The vehicle will have extensive damage to the right front hood. At the time of the accident it had "For Sale" signs on the passenger and rear windows.
A piece of the car's right fog light cover was found by a witness and given to the family.
"Whoever did this to my child, they don't know what they've done to my family. My family is grieving, they hurt, they're mad but we're gonna find out who did this, " said Veronica Banks.
Anyone with information on the car, who may have been driving it, is asked to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at (305) 471-TIPS.
