Exclusive: Investigators Have Person Of Interest In Christmas Eve Tragedy
Follow CBSMIAMI.COM: Facebook | Twitter
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – On the Palmetto Expressway early Christmas Eve morning, a man was killed while helping a friend. Seven weeks later, investigators have a car and a person of interest in the hit and run.
Tony Thomason, 45, drove his red pickup truck to help a pal whose car had stalled on the Palmetto near SW 8th Street. Another car slammed into both men, well off the roadway.
Thomason, the Good Samaritan was killed. His cousin Grace Angulo remembered him at his funeral.
"He actually died doing what he's known for, which is helping everyone," Angulo said.
"He was my only son," Thomason's mom told us as she wept Christmas Day. "I don't know how I'm going to live without him."
Thomason stopped to help Oscar Rodriguez, who was critically injured and is still recovering from massive injuries. His brother spoke to CBS4 at the hospital soon after the accident, incredulous at the hit-and-run driver.
"I don't know somebody could do that, especially Christmas Eve, you know," Darien Rodriguez said.
The case remains unsolved, but CBS4 News has learned the Florida Highway Patrol has identified the person they believe was responsible for the Christmas Eve carnage on the Palmetto.
"We have a person of interest. We have interviewed that person of interest, we are working on that case," said Trooper Joe Sanchez.
Indeed, police seized a black Honda Accord they believe killed the one man and critically injured the second.
The car was towed from a home near Lejeune Road and Flagler where the person of interest, 35-year-old Elizabeth Gonzalez, lives or has relatives.
CBS4 News was unable to reach Gonzalo for comment.
While police have the Honda, and believe they know who was driving it, they have an obstacle to overcome.
"Right now we have a person of interest we believe is the driver. We just need to put them behind the wheel, and sometimes that's not that easy," said Sanchez.
While Gonzalo initially told investigators she would cooperate, according to the FHP, she has since lawyered up and has not cooperated.
What investigators need is help, as the Thomason family said of the driver when their loved one was killed.
"Maybe they're running their mouth and talking about it. You know, sometimes when people commit crimes like this, they have somebody they confide in, their guilt," said Thomason's cousin Angulo.
Whether guilt, or a recollection from someone who saw the black Honda Accord and who was driving it, police hope they'll solve the Christmas Eve tragedy.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (305) 471-TIPS (8477).
CBS4's Sandy Antonio contributed to this report.
