Family Asks For Help In Finding Drivers Who Struck, Killed Miami Woman Ana Paulina Garcia
MIAMI (CBSMiami) - The family of a Miami great grandmother who died after being hit by two vehicles that fled the scene has made an emotional plea for anyone with information to come forward.
According to police, on October 16th, around 8 p.m., Ana Paulina Garcia was struck at NW 1 Avenue and NW 79 Street in Little River.
Her family said the 75-year-old Garcia was struck moments after getting off a bus as she was heading home.
Garcia's daughter-in-law Elizabeth Liriano described her as a kind and loving person.
"My mother-in-law would do everything for her family and her great-grandkids. She would help anybody," she said.
Liriano is inconsolable.
"It's not human to hit somebody and leave. And a second car, it has to be inhuman that they would do this, treating someone like a dog and doing this," she said.
Garcia was a mother of three children, she also had 11 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
"She was an unbelievable grandmother and great grandmother. She loved her children and was selfless and religious," said Garcia's son Chihyang Liu. "For this to happen, we are in shock."
Liu said his grief is compounded by the recent loss of his 45-year-old brother because of COVID-19.
"I just buried my brother last month," said Garcia. "He was a chef and he unfortunately contracted COVID at work and battled it at home until he couldn't breathe anymore and he had to go to the hospital."
He was married to Liriano. She told CBS4's Peter D'Oench that she was not able to see him in his final days.
She said "He was there for 10 days before he passed and he died by himself at the hospital. This is just too much tragedy for one family to bear."
Miami Police are also appealing for help.
They said the first vehicle to hit Garcia, was a black or dark-colored SUV.
"Possibly a Toyota, it will have front-end damage to the grill and the hood," said Detective Alexander Mena.
The make and model of the second vehicle are unknown.
Police said there has been an increase in hit and run cases this year.
"We just want answers and closure. If you have seen something, please help us," said Liu. "For this to happen to my mother, we are broken, we just want peace and justice for my mom. She didn't deserve this."
Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (305) 471-TIPS (8477) or visit the website at crimestoppersmiami.com and select "Give a Tip."
There is a reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to arrests.
Police say they do have surveillance tape but they are not ready to release it right now.
