MIAMI (WSVN) - A devastated family is making a plea to the driver who, police said, fatally struck an elderly woman in Miami and sped away.
City of Miami Police responded to a call of a hit-and-run at the intersection of Northwest 37th Avenue and Ninth Street, at around 10:15 p.m., Sunday.
Officials said the victim – who was later identified as 76-year-old Hilda Garcia – was walking home from the grocery store at the time of the crash. She was crossing the street with her walker when, police said, a vehicle traveling northbound struck her and fled the scene.
“They dragged her for around 90 to 100 feet. The police says that they must have been traveling very, very fast,” said Tony Bolanos, the victim’s nephew.
“Regardless of whether she was in the crosswalk or not, this vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed. There’s nothing that she could have done,” said Miami Police Officer Michael Vega.
Bolanos said his aunt was just days away from her 77th birthday and had lived in the area for 30 years.
A mangled walker was the only thing left behind as police investigated.
Garcia’s sister, Miraya Bolanos, said the driver treated her loved one like she was nothing more than animal. “This is the animal. This is the killer, and this is a person that doesn’t have heart. She had the birthday on Friday, the next Friday, and somebody kill like the animal.”
“Ran her over, killed her instantly and didn’t even look back,” said the victim’s nephew.
According to family members, Garcia would often use a walker to run errands.
“She’s self-sufficient, never bothered anybody,” said Tony Bolanos. “She was a wonderful lady, loved by everybody in the community. Everybody knew her.”
Crime scene investigators and police officers had much of the roadway blocked off over night. It has since reopened.
“Bottom line is, they destroyed a family,” said Tony Bolanos. “My mom is falling apart. My cousin, who is her son, has lost the only thing he has. I lost my aunt.”
Police said the vehicle they are looking for is dark in color and likely has extensive front-end damage.
“If you see a vehicle that has front-end damage, contact us, let us investigate,” said Vega. “We’d rather go to the call and not have something than to not go and it be the vehicle that was used in this crime.”
Investigators and Garcia’s family hopes that someone who saw something will say something.
“Please help us find him,” said Alberto Garcia, the victim’s son.
Her nephew had a message for the driver responsible. “The only right thing to do is to come out and say that you’ve done this accident, because we deserve to have justice done,” said Bolanos. “We’ve all lost somebody very special, and she didn’t deserve to go this way.”
If you have any information on this hit-and-run, 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.
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