MIAMI BEACH, FLA. (WSVN) - Loved ones are grappling with the sudden loss of a man who was killed in a crash along the MacArthur Causeway in Miami Beach that sent two other people to the hospital and saw the westbound lanes closed for hours.
Family members said they woke up Thursday morning to learn 26-year-old Dany Iglesias was killed in the violent wreck.
“He was great. He had a lot of aspirations,” said Belkys Chi, the deceased victim’s aunt, as she fought back tears.
Miami Beach Police and Fire Rescue units first responded to the scene just before 5 a.m.
7News cameras captured two cars with extensive damage.
Officials said a Toyota Camry was stopped at a red light, and as the light turned green, a Ford Mustang came from behind and struck the vehicle.
The Mustang rolled over a few times and came to its resting post just past the Palm Island entry point,” said Miami Beach Police Officer Ernesto Rodriguez.
Investigators said Iglesias was a passenger inside the Camry. Paramedics transported him to the hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
Rodriguez said two other people were also taken to the hospital with injuries.
“The driver of that Ford was taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital. He is expected to be OK,” said Rodriguez. “Another passenger inside of that Toyota was also transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital expected to be OK. The driver of that Toyota – a lot of moving parts here – miraculously also OK and did not need to be transported.”
Family members said Iglesias worked at Mango’s on Ocean Drive and had big dreams.
“He wanted to succeed in life. He was super happy. He loved his parents, his family,” said Chi.
The westbound lanes of the causeway were reopened to traffic just after 11:30 a.m.
“There’s never an opportune time for, unfortunately, a traffic crash investigation. It’s a serious incident,” said Rodriguez.
Crime scene investigators and traffic homicide detectives are now working to recreate the scene using 3D technology.
Explained Rodriguez, “We have all of our traffic homicide investigators on the scene using that 3D forensic imaging — it’s FARO technology — to really re-map the scene and really determine speed, distance and all those factors that are going to take part in the potential criminal investigation later on.”
Rodriguez said there is surveillance video of the crash, but it has not been released.
There’s no word on pending charges, but Rodriguez said part of the investigation will include looking at various factors like driving under the influence, speed and distracted driving.
As for Iglesias’ family, they said that knowing he’s not coming back is agonizing to process.
“We can’t believe what has happened,” said Chi.
The heavily-damaged vehicles were later towed away from the scene as evidence.
Not far from the scene of the crash, a car crashed through the barricades and drove into the water at the Watson Island Marina.
Police have not released the identities of the others involved in the crash.
Iglesias’ family have set up a GoFundMe page to help with funeral costs. If you would like to make a donation, click here.
Copyright 2025 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.