Watch CBS News

Accused Hit-And-Run Driver Speaks To Miami Police

Follow CBSMIAMI.COM: Facebook | Twitter

MIAMI (CBSMiami) — The owner of a Mercedes-Benz that slammed into several people and a parked car early Saturday morning had a very brief meeting with police investigators Monday.

With his lawyer by his side, accused hit-and-run driver Jose Calzadilla walked into a Miami Police Department sub-station and walked out moments later.

"Police identified him as the owner of the vehicle that was involved in the accident that's been all over the media. He's the owner of the vehicle so he came to speak to police. It's an ongoing investigation so they didn't have much to say to us and we didn't have much to say at the moment other than that," said attorney Yoel Molina.

Two victims from that hit-and-run remain in the hospital.

Shekita Frank is in critical condition. Franeshia Brown is in good condition.

The driver behind the wheel of a Mercedes-Benz barreled into the back of a small Chevy Aveo parked in the roadway on 17th Avenue near Northwest 44th Street, outside a Miami liquor store.

The impact sent the Chevy rolling down the street and four people flying.

"It threw me out of my shoes," Perrisha Jean told CBS4's Natalia Zea.

Jean was the only one left standing. The car clipped her.

"I couldn't believe it had happened, it happened so fast. I didn't even see it coming," said John.

Her boyfriend, Marqwan Humphrey, was inside the Chevy and wearing his seatbelt, leaving him with a scar and his life.

"They was getting ready to enter the car, the next thing I know I was flying down the street.

Shekita Frank who remains in the hospital with broken bones and severe road rash.

The group was buying alcohol early Saturday morning to celebrate Frank's birthday.

She told Zea, by phone, after watching surveillance video of the crash, she can't believe she survived to see 25.

"I cried. I couldn't say nothing. Nothing. I just cried," said Frank.

The driver, who police identified as 30-year-old Jose Calzadilla, stopped at first, and got out of his car.

"He just said, 'What the hell was this?' And then he took off. He left," recalled Jean.

It didn't take police long to find the Mercedes just a few blocks away. Humphrey says he saw the driver speeding down Northwest 43rd street and when detectives searched that street, they saw the Mercedes parked in a driveway, a few blocks away.

Police did not arrest Calzadilla because they are working on physical evidence to prove he was behind the wheel.

"We still suspect that he is the driver and we will continue gathering the evidence necessary, the DNA etc. in order to make a solid case," said Miami police officer Rene Pimentel.

Jean feels after this near tragedy, police must make an arrest.

"Get him. Get him off the streets."

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.