MIAMI BEACH, FLA. (WSVN) - A Lakeland man is facing a list of criminal charges after, police said, he struck and killed two college students on Collins Avenue in Miami Beach, then fled the scene on foot into a nearby Walgreens.
Adan Negron-Morris, 42, was arrested Thursday and booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center in connection with the deaths of 22-year-old Sarisa Kongduang and 24-year-old Greatgomon Laowatdhanasapya.
“This is truly a very sad and tragic case,” said Miami Beach Police spokesperson Christopher Bess.
According to Miami Beach Police, Negron-Morris was driving a black Nissan Sentra without headlights and in a reckless manner as he traveled eastbound on 71st Street toward Collins Avenue on Wednesday night.
“This driver had no regard for human life,” said Bess.
A Miami Beach Police officer conducting a high-visibility patrol in the area of Indian Creek Drive observed the vehicle and attempted to respond, as multiple 911 calls simultaneously reported the driver’s behavior.
“The driver began to go northbound, approaching 73rd Street, where he struck two pedestrians who were crossing the street,” said Bess.
Video shared by a witness to 7News shows the deadly incident at the intersection of 73rd and Collins Avenue.
“Out of nowhere, I hear a big boom, and then I see that it’s very serious,” said witness Gohn Pierre.
Police said the impact of the crash was so strong that the hood of the car was bent upwards into the front windshield.
Witnesses rushed to try and save the victims.
“I see the car that, like, ran the people over stopped at the light because, I’m assuming, his hood went up, like his car was so messed up that his hood went up and he couldn’t see anything,” said witness Diego Better.
Another witness told 7News he was nearby and heard the crash.
“When I looked outside the window, I saw two people on the floor,” he said.
He said he rushed outside to help the victims.
“It was bad. They were unconscious. I was praying for them the whole time. It was very sad,” said the witness.
Police said Negron-Morris continued to 74th Street and Collins Avenue before he came to a stop. The suspect then exited the vehicle and fled on foot into a nearby Walgreens, but a witness stopped him until officers arrived.
He was taken into custody without incident. Body camera footage captures the moment police handcuffed the suspect.
“After he hit the two victims, he didn’t even stop to render aid or see exactly how they were doing,” said Bess. “But luckily, our officers arrived seconds after, located him inside the Walgreens, and he was arrested on [driving under the influence]-related charges.”
After being placed in handcuffs, detectives said, Negron Morris said he he suffered from multiple mental health issues and crashed because he was trying to kill himself.
“I don’t even think he knew exactly what he hit, but what I do know is he tried to get away,” said Bess.
Kongduang and Laowatdhanasapya were transported in critical condition to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center, where they later died from their injuries.
Officials with Indiana University said Laowatdhanasapya graduated in 2024, while Kongduang was a current student.
Negron-Morris faces two counts of vehicular homicide and two counts of leaving the scene of a crash involving death and was held behind bars on a magistrate hold.
He appeared in court Friday morning, where Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Mindy S. Glazer set his bond at $1 million and placed him on house arrest
“For counts two and three, there’s probable cause for vehicular homicide, in a reckless manner,” said Glazer. “That’s plus house arrest, level one house arrest. The court is ordering no drinking, no driving a motor vehicle.”
Prosecutors say Negron-Morris has a long criminal history.
“I believe the defendant is an extreme danger to the community,” said a prosecutor.
Police said they are also investigating a possible connection between Negron-Morris and another hit-and-run crash that occurred moments before he allegedly killed the pedestrians. In this prior incident, officials said, he hit a car and kept driving.
“If you see something that’s odd, like these 911 callers [did], please call us immediately. Luckily, our officers were in the area because had they not been, this subject would’ve gotten away,” said Bess.
Investigators said they could bring forth additional charges against the suspect, as they continue to investigate into both incidents.
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