NORTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, FLA. (WSVN) - An altercation near a Northwest Miami-Dade gas station ended in tragedy after, police said, a truck driver was struck by what is believed to be a machete, then wandered into traffic and was hit by two cars.
It all happened early Thursday, near a Valero Gas Station along Northwest 36th Street and 32nd Avenue.
7Skyforce HD flew over the scene, where the victim’s body could be seen lying in the street, covered by a tarp.
Surveillance video captured the moment the man, later identified as 38-year-old Yonny Lafont, was struck by one of the vehicles. Another car also stuck the victim. However, the driver of the second car remained at the scene until help arrived.
“A victim was found on the floor, and he was later run over by another vehicle, so we’re trying to figure out how this person died,” said Miami Police Officer Yelitza Cedano.
According to police, Lafont went into the gas station at around 5 a.m. Moments later, an altercation broke out between the driver and a customer.
“The gentleman inside of the gas station was believed to step out, pick up a machete and, possibly, striking the gentleman that had arrived in the truck,” Cedano said.
The victim stumbled into the street where he later died.
Police are now working to determine what exactly caused the man’s demise. “We’re trying to investigate whether the victim that is currently deceased was struck by the machete, if they got involved into a fight, or if he just ran out into traffic and got hit by a car,” Cedano said.
A customer who didn’t want to show her face said she arrived moments after the incident to a bloody scene. “‘What happened? What’s going on?’ Because it was not just on the door; it was on the ground, too.”
Officials have since removed the victim’s car carrier from the scene.
Police are now searching for the driver of the Mitsubishi box truck that kept going and the person who struck the victim with a machete.
If you have any information on this death, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a $3,000 reward.
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