SUNNY ISLES BEACH, FLA. (WSVN) - Police said they have located the body of a man who, they said, was knocked off the 163rd Street Bridge in Sunny Isles Beach.
Miami-Dade Police confirmed the discovery following an hours-long search, just before noon on Saturday.
Area residents were shocked by the grim update.
“It’s sad, sad to just die like that,” said Yesenia Velazquez, who lives in a high-rise located right next to the bridge.
According to investigators, the man was behind the wheel of a black Ferrari that broke down along the westbound lanes of the bridge, near Collins Avenue, Friday night.
Police said the driver got out and was checking the engine when another car collided with the sports car, sending the man over the edge.
“It’s just sad for it to happen the way this one happened,” said resident Antonio.
Sunny Isles Beach Police units responded to the bridge just before 11 p.m. and shut down the westbound lanes.
Velazquez said she came home shortly after the incident.
“We didn’t know what happened, so we went upstairs to look out the window,” she said. “We could just see the car stopped there, a whole bunch of cops and people walking looking under the bridge.”
7News cameras captured the Ferrari, a white Audi and a Chevy at the scene.
Miami-Dade Police later took over the investigation, using spotlights from high above and specialized dive teams in the water.
With the help of Miami-Dade Police Aviation and Marine Patrol Units, crews were able to locate the missing motorist.
“It’s sad, man. It’s unfortunate for that person’s family,” said Antonio. “I wouldn’t want anybody to deal with that, period.”
As of Saturday night, police have not identified the man pending notification of next of kin.
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