NORTH MIAMI BEACH, FLA. (WSVN) - Nine people have been taken to the hospital after a six-vehicle crash in North Miami Beach.
North Miami Beach Police and Miami-Dade Fire Rescue responded to the scene near Biscayne Boulevard and Northeast 163rd Street just after 2:30 p.m., Thursday.
Fire rescue said a total of nine people were injured in the crash. Two patients were rushed to Aventura Hospital as trauma alerts. The other seven patients were transported to a local area hospital.
Surveillance video captured a white Mercedes-Benz C-Class coupe crashing into a Jaguar SUV attempting to turn into the shopping center.
The driver in the Jaguar was later idenitified as 46-year-old Daniel Jerusalmi and is said to have suffered critical injuries.
Witnesses said several people were seen running around frantically, screaming for help after the crash.
“Oh, my God, very bad, very bad. These three kids, they were flying in this Mercedes-Benz, and they bumped into the car,” said Raquel Rodriguez, a witness. “The car started– he flew in the air, like three turns in the air. That’s how everything started.”
The owner of Elite International Realty, Leo Ickowicz, said Jerusalmi is a friend of his and works as an agent at his company. Ickowicz said Jerusalmi was hit as he returned from lunch.
“Really, we see progress. Everybody is praying for him, the office and all of the Brazilian community,” said Ickowicz. “We are very united praying for him. He’s 46 years old. He has three children.”
Witnesses said speed was a factor in causing the violent crash.
“That car was definitely going over like 90 miles per hour — the white Mercedes. That’s why it’s so far,” said Victor Sepulveda, a witness. “This car flipped a few times. That’s why it got destroyed.”
7SkyForce HD showed the vehicles involved spread across the street, and the hectic traffic that resulted from the crash.
Surveillance cameras captured witnesses rushing to the scene of the crash to help those involved.
“I’ve never seen anything like this before,” Rodriguez said.
All of the vehicles involved in the crash have since been towed from the scene.
Police shut down all northbound traffic from Northeast 151st Street to 163rd Street on Biscayne Boulevard while they worked the scene. The roadways have since reopened.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Police have not released information on the others involved in the crash.
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