MIRAMAR, FLA. (WSVN) - The family of a loved one killed by a hit-and-run driver are making a plea to the public. They are hoping that someone saw something that will lead to an arrest.
Thirty-five-year-old Silvio Ortega had only been in the U.S. for about a year where he moved with dreams of becoming a mechanic and opening his own shop someday.
Early Sunday morning, Ortega’s dreams were taken away when he was hit by a car in Miramar along the 6500 block of Pembroke Road when he tried to cross the road.
The driver did not stop to render aid after Ortega was hit.
Good Samaritans in the area saw what happened, stopped, tired to direct traffic around Ortega and did everything they could to try and help him out.
Unfortunately, Ortega was pronounced dead at the scene.
His family is now asking for any information about the driver who took his life.
“I urge you, the public, to assist this family at finding peace,” said Jose Rosales, traffic homicide investigator for Miramar Police. “Silvio was very loved by his family and now they mourn their loved one only days after Thanksgiving.”
According to investigators, they do think they know what car they are looking for. They think it is an out of state vehicle, and a team of investigators are heading that way.
“On Sunday, Nov. 27, at approximately 2:15 a.m., a hit-and-run driver struck and killed Silvio Jose Ortega Martinez who was attempting to cross the roadway at the 6500 block of Pembroke Road,” said Rosales. “The vehicle fled the scene eastbound on Pembroke Road, according to witnesses.”
Police believe he was struck by a white Chevy Malibu.
His family, with the aid of a translator, said the following, “He was a very good person, he was her brother, and they are the only two. The mom passed away before. It was only her and her brother. He wants to make sure that everybody knows he was loved, that his sister is looking for information.”
Ortega’s family have started a GoFundMe to help with the burial process. If you’d like to help the family, click here.
If you have any information on this hit-and-run, call Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward of up to $5,000.
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