MIAMI (WSVN) - Police are searching for the driver of a pickup truck who fatally struck an elderly man in a parking lot in Miami and fled the scene.
Newly released surveillance video shows a white Ford truck pulling into the lot, located in the area of Northwest 17th Avenue and 21st Terrace, at around 6:45 p.m., Sunday.
According to City of Miami Police, the 81-year-old victim had crouched down to feed a cat when the truck plowed into him.
Speaking through a translator, a woman who works nearby said she witnessed the crash.
“I don’t think the driver saw the man,” said Sandra Rivera.
Police later identified the man behind the wheel as 44-year-old Felipe Valdelamar.
Witnesses said the suspect got out of his vehicle momentarily before jumping back in and driving off.
Surveillance video shows the truck heading west on Northwest 21st Terrace.
Witnesses rushed to the man’s side and tried to help.
“I came back outside the restaurant and see the man face down,” said Curtis Hand.
The victim was pronounced dead in the parking lot. The cat survived.
Officers remained at the scene for hours. Homicide detectives returned to the parking lot on Monday to interview witnesses and search for clues.
A business owner gave police a copy of the surveillance video for them to review.
Now investigators are asking for help to track down Valdelamar.
“You have no compassion, no love for nobody. That’s not right at all,” said Hand.
Police said Valdelamar was driving a white 2008 Ford F-250 with an extended cab and the Florida license tag HETU50.
If you have any information on the driver’s whereabouts, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a $3,000 reward.
Copyright 2024 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.