MIAMI SHORES, FLA. (WSVN) - A dangerous drive in a Miami Shores neighborhood ended in a fiery crash that left one person dead and sent another to the hospital.
Miami Shores Police and Miami-Dade Fire Rescue units responded to the scene of the wreck in the area of Northeast 103rd Street and Third Avenue, early Sunday morning.
Area residents said two vehicles were involved. They said one of them crashed into a tree so hard that it burst into flames.
Several neighbors said they woke up to the sound of tires screeching, screaming and flames burning through twisted metal, at around 4 a.m.
“It was pretty disturbing,” said area resident Carlos Palacios.
Before it struck the tree, the car barreled into a street sign and sent it flying about 30 yards away.
Doorbell surveillance video captured smoke filling the street.
Residents said they called 911, but the flames were so fierce that there was nothing they could do. They said some of the flames were as high as 10 feet.
“I’ve never seen anything like that, with flames that aggressive and that high,” said Palacios. “I was afraid the car was going to blow up, to be honest.”
Paramedics transported the surviving victim to Ryder Trauma Center in unknown condition.
Based on the sights and sounds, neighbors believe the drivers were drag racing. However, investigators have not confirmed this.
“It sounded like a boom. It almost sounded like a transformer went out,” said Palacios.
Residents who live along the busy street where the crash took place said wrecks and wild rides are all too common in the area.
“It’s terrible. At night, people are drag racing on the street all the time, especially on the weekend,” said area resident Lisa Sigala. “We’ve had numerous complaints about it. They need to do something here.”
Witnesses said they saw at least two people in handcuffs, but there is no official word on any arrests.
Miami-Dade Police is assisting in the investigation.
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