MIAMI BEACH, FLA. (WSVN) - One person has died and six others were left injured after a car hit patrons of a sidewalk café in Miami Beach.
A Bentley hit several people sitting outside a high-end Miami Beach café, Thursday evening at around 6 p.m.
“We hear a loud crash from across the road over there,” said Miles Britton.
Thirteen-year-old twin brothers, Miles and Noah Britton took video after hearing a big bang.
“We see a car into the restaurant,” said Miles.
“Give him some space, give him some space!” said a civilian in the video.
Visiting from Vermont with their family, the boys were eating dinner at Joe’s Stone Crab when they rushed over to Call Me Gabby, the restaurant across the street.
They captured the seconds that followed the fatal, sidewalk café crash.
“And people are apparently trying to push the car because there is someone under it,” said Miles.
The Bentley plowed into several people sitting outside at the café.
According to the owners of the restaurant, employees and patrons jumped into action, lifting the car to reach a 3-year-old and man that were trapped under the vehicle.
“Everyone is starting to move stuff out of the way and everything, and they pushed it enough so that the person had gotten out,” said Miles, “and then they pushed it far enough that the person had gotten out.”
“Horrific accident,” said Miami Beach Police officer Ernesto Rodriguez.
Miami Beach Police said one person died, and 6 others, including the child, were taken to the hospital.
“An elderly woman was attempting to parallel park her vehicle accelerating onto the outdoor sidewalk café on the restaurant,” said Rodriguez.
The victim has been identified as 67-year-old Dr. Gary Prince.
His friends said that Prince was originally from New York but had lived South of 5th for many years.
They said he was a kind, generous person who will be missed by so many.
Two of his friends and one who survived the crash sent a statement to 7News which read: “Dr. Gary Prince was a superb person in terms of helping people around him. Gary had a fulfilling life, his love for basketball, mentoring inner city kids while in New York. Part of his practice was dedicated to heal the injuries of basketball players for the New York Knicks,” said Kirk Kesapyan and Massimo Quarra.
They said that he moved to Miami from New York 20 years ago and loved riding his bike in Miami Beach.
In fact, that’s how he arrived to the restaurant Thursday night, before the crash.
7News acquired a video of Miami Beach Fire Rescue responding on the nightmarish evening and chaos at the cafe.
“I was very surprised to have it happened right in front of me,” said Miles.
The restaurant remained closed for the day out of respect for the victims.
The business posted a sign that read: “All of us at Call Me Gaby are deeply saddened and shocked by last night’s tragic event. Our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone affected and to their families and loved ones.”
The elderly woman stayed on the scene and is cooperating with investigators.
The child and two adults still remain in the hospital, and the three other patients are recovering at home, as of Friday.
Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber made a statement in a video in which he said, “Our entire city grieves for all the victims and their families, and we pray together for the recovery of those injured.”
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