MIAMI (WSVN) - A man was killed after, authorities said, he collided with a City of Miami Police cruiser in Little Havana, early Saturday morning.
The family of 71-year-old Ramon Bueno said they are devastated over the tragedy. “He was there since day one. He went to every single graduation that I had. He went to my wedding,” said his daughter, Daimy Bueno. “He was there whenever I needed him, in the worst and in my best times.”
Officials said the police officer was driving a marked cruiser with lights and sirens when he collided with the black Honda Civic Bueno was driving, at the intersection of Southwest 12th Avenue and Seventh Street, just after 1:30 a.m.
“We know that the officer was responding to a priority call in emergency mode, meaning lights and sirens, when he came into the intersection,” said Miami Police Officer Kenia Fallat. “Now, as to what the contributing factor to the crash is, it’s something that we still don’t know.”
Investigators said the officer was heading north, and Bueno was driving west.
Ramon Bueno was killed in a crash w a Miami PD cruiser in Little Havana. Police say officer was in emergency mode, heading to a call. @wsvn pic.twitter.com/boBgIZjJxW
— Ann Keil Dux (@AnnKeilDux) June 18, 2017
Surveillance video from a nearby business shows the moments after the cruiser struck Bueno’s car. The collision was so violent that the squad car plowed into a black Audi stopped at the traffic light on the other side of the intersection.
Paramedics rushed Bueno to Ryder Trauma Center in critical condition. He succumbed to his injuries upon arrival.
The officer was taken to Mercy Hospital, where he was treated and later released.
The occupants of the Audi suffered minor injuries. The driver was treated at the scene for a laceration to his arm.
Daimy said she still doesn’t have the strength to tell her little girl that her grandfather is gone. “He used to call me every day. I wake up, [he said], ‘Daimy, wake up, hello.’ Every single day,” she said as she broke down in tears. “I know when I wake up tomorrow, I know he’s not going to be waking me up tomorrow at 6 a.m.”
Relatives said Bueno had escaped Cuba to give his family a better life. They said the crash took place near his home.
Saturday night, loved ones left candles and flowers near the intersection where the fatal collision occurred. 7News cameras captured Daimy embracing a family member.
The crash remains under investigation. Police said they do not know who was at fault.
Bueno’s daughter has set up a GoFundMe page to help cover funeral expenses. If you would like to make a donation, click here.
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