MIAMI GARDENS, FLA. (WSVN) - Police gathered near Florida Memorial University to investigate the scene of a hit-and-run that took place Sunday night.
Just after 11:30 p.m., Miami Gardens police responded to the area of Northwest 42nd Avenue and Northwest 163rd Street after a driver silver Infinity struck two women that were walking in the middle lane of the street.
“I don’t know how to put it in words, it’s just a lot losing a friend who we were just with so unexpectedly it’s a hard feeling,” said Randy Meran, who was with the victims just moments before their deaths.
The driver ran off but was detained shortly after; the vehicle was towed away and withstood significant damage.
“We were just watching the super bowl and then we split ways for a few minutes literally and things just unraveled,” said Meran.
7News captured the scene where a body lay on the floor with a yellow tarp draped over it.
On Monday morning, police were still on the scene investigating the incident.
A family member identified one of the victims as Asiayanna Green, a 19-year-old student from South Carolina.
“She came here from Lake City,” said Green’s aunt. “She said she wanted to command she made it a point to get here.”
The other women was Sharaya an 18-year-old student from West Palm Beach.
One woman who works nearby reacted to the news as she drove through the area.
“They died! That is so sad. I am so sorry to hear that,” she said.
Employees said speed has always been a problem in the area.
“This is hard as a family,” said a family member of Green. “We are just hearing the news so it’s still very devastating. It’s two lives that are gone. It’s truly sad for everybody.
Around 8 a.m., the university released a statement that read, “Florida Memorial University is devastated to learn that a tragic accident claimed the lives of two of our first-year students … Florida Memorial University will be providing grief counseling sessions for all students, faculty, and staff. The sessions will take place in the FMU/FIU Auditorium starting at 10:00 a.m. today. Every member of our Lion community is invited to take part in a group prayer at the FMU Clock Tower today at Noon to remember the lives of our students and to pray for our campus.”
In the afternoon, students, faculty and loved ones of the victims gathered in prayer at the school.
“A very sad day here at FMU, as you can imagine,” said FMU Director of Public Affairs Sharee Gilbert.
Grief counselors were on site, as well as the president of FMU, to support those affected by the loss.
“We just want to encourage the community to come out and wrap their arms around us and pray for us at this moment,” said Gilbert.
The driver attempted to flee on foot but was caught and is now in custody. He has yet to be identified as police continue to investigate the incident.
“It’s sad that her life was taken just that quick over nothing and it’s just hard as a family we are just receiving the news,” said Les Raw, the cousin of one of the victims.
The tragedy is still under investigation.
Copyright 2024 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.