NORTH MIAMI, FLA. (WSVN) - Three members of a youth soccer team from Little Haiti were killed after they were struck by a car while walking to a bus stop in North Miami, sending the driver to the hospital.
North Miami Police and Miami-Dade Fire Rescue units responded to the scene of the crash near Northeast 125th Street and 14th Avenue, just west of U.S. 1, at around 5:30 a.m., Saturday.
Investigators said a driver lost control and hit the victims near a building as they were walking to a bus stop.
“[The driver] went onto the sidewalk and struck the kids,” said North Miami Police spokesperson Natalie Buissereth.
Police said the victims were about to head to a youth soccer tournament in Weston at the time.
“The children were walking to the bus stop en route to their soccer game,” said Buissereth.
Investigators identified the victims as 17-year-old Richecarde Dumay, 15-year-old Lens Desir and 13-year-old Gedeon Desir.
Officials said the victims’ parents and coaches have been notified. Their teammates learned about the deaths at the park in Little Haiti where they practice, Saturday evening.
“They were hurting, crying, showing their love, expressing their love for their teammates,” said the Rev. Mike Davis, a local pastor.
All three victims were enrolled in Miami-Dade public schools. Superintendent Alberto Carvalho took to Twitter to address the tragedy.
In an instant, the lives of three promising young men cut short following a horrific vehicle accident this morning. Devastated over this tragic loss of life and over the pain their loved ones must now endure. Today, the @MDCPS family is in mourning.
— Alberto M. Carvalho (@LAUSDSup) May 25, 2019
The vehicle involved sustained major damage, while the building sustained minor damages.
Paramedics transported the driver of the car to an area hospital in unknown condition.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
Click here to donate to the Little Haiti FC Soccer Club’s GoFundMe campaign.
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