MARGATE, FLA. (WSVN) - Authorities said a 5-year-old boy was killed and his mother was left critically injured after they were involved in a single-vehicle crash in Margate.
The crash prompted a heavy emergency response along Royal Palm Boulevard and Rock Island Road, just before 11 p.m., Monday.
Investigators said 22-year-old Imani Malik, who was driving a 2007 Nissan Sentra, was traveling eastbound on Royal Palm Boulevard at a high rate of speed when she lost control of the vehicle.
According to authorities, the car left the roadway, struck a tree and then struck a wall.
Her 5-year-old son was ejected from the car and pronounced dead at the scene.
Malik was transported to Broward Health North where she remains in critical condition, Tuesday afternoon. The extent of her injuries and whether she knows what happened to her son remains unknown.
Leonela Rodriguez, who lives nearby, could be seen cleaning up after the crash.
“It all happened so fast,” Rodriguez said through a translator.
7News cameras captured a mangled car on the side of the road.
Traffic homicide detectives were seen taking photos of the wreck.
A neighbor in the area, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said he woke up from the loud commotion outside.
“Going over 100 miles per hour and there was a police officer in a vehicle in the median with his lights off, and when the officer saw [the car], he flipped his lights on and went to pursue,” he said. “Not sure if the driver panicked or what happened. Truly a devastating scene. I was in my house and heard this horrific crash. My dog started barking, and I came out. Soon as I came out and walked up this way, I saw the one police officer on scene walking up to what’s left of the mangled car there. Within minutes, there was a swarm of police cars here and emergency vehicles.”
The neighbor said crashes in the area are common, but this one was unlike the others.
“I’m in my house, and I could hear it, and I come out. I know that I’m going to see a wreck somewhere, but this… this is the worst I’ve seen in about the 17 years I’ve lived here,” said the neighbor. “People just drive too fast on these roads, and this is the unfortunate result.”
Margate Police continue to investigate.
If you have any information on this fatal crash, call Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a $3,000 reward.
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