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Truck Driver Killed In Machete Attack At Gas Station

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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – An altercation at a Miami gas station has a left a truck driver dead and a machete-wielding man on the loose.

Miami Police said it started inside a Valero gas station at NW 36th Street and NW 31st Avenue Thursday morning.

"We're trying to investigate if the victim that is currently deceased was struck by the machete, if they got involved in a fight or if he just ran into traffic and got hit by a car," said City of Miami Police Department Ofc. Yelitza Cedano.

Surveillance video shows a confrontation between at least three men.

Then the victim, identified as 38-year-old Yonny Lafont Mendez, is seen walking into the street, before being struck by not one but two vehicles.

City of Miami Police said it all began shortly after 5 a.m. when the victim, driving a tractor trailer, entered the gas station.

"Apparently a struggle ensued between someone that was inside of the gas station," said Ofc. Cedano, adding that the aggressor went to his vehicle to grab a machete and may have struck the victim. "That gentlemen is believed to have left the Valero gas station, possibly injured from a machete wound, at which time he was crossing back and forth on the street and he was possibly hit by another vehicle."

While lying in the road, officials said the guy was then struck by two passing vehicles and did not survive. They're unsure if he died from his wounds in the attack or after.

One of those vehicles did not stop.

Police are looking for it as well as the suspect with the machete, who fled the scene.

Thursday night, City of Miami Police tweeted out a picture saying they need the public's help locating a Mitsubishi Fuso flatbed truck that may have possible passenger-side mirror and window damage and possibly had a plush doll tied to the front of the vehicle.

If you have any information on the case, contact Crime Stoppers at (305) 471-TIPS.

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