NORTHEAST MIAMI-DADE, FLA. (WSVN) - Police seek the public’s help in their search for the drivers responsible for separate hit-and-run crashes in Northeast Miami-Dade and Northwest Miami-Dade that left a man and a woman dead.
According to Miami-Dade Police, the most recent crash unfolded on Sunday at around 10 a.m. in the area of Northeast 205th Terrace and Northeast 14th Avenue in Northeast Miami-Dade.
Detectives said it claimed the life of 20-year-old Maria Araujo Muniz de Souza.
A surveillance camera captured the victim prior to the crash as she rode her bicycle.
Investigators said the driver of a pickup truck hit the woman’s bike and took off without offering assistance or reporting the crash.
Araujo Muniz de Souza was taken to Aventura Hospital where she succumbed to her injuries.
MDPD officials released new pictures of the pickup truck, which they described as a gold, four-door Toyota Tundra, model years 2007-2013, with visible damage to the right front corner.
According to a Facebook post, the victim was a graduate of Don Soffer Aventura High School. A message from the school states, “She emitted a light of pure joy that was felt by anyone she came in contact with.”
Her friends started a GoFundMe page. The summary explains that she was on her way to work on the day of the crash, adding that her work was the main source of income for her family. The fundraiser has already brought in more than $42,000.
As Araujo Muniz de Souza’s family receives support from the community, police are looking for tips. They have been searching the neighborhood where the crash took place, but as of Wednesday, the driver of the Tundra remains on the street.
Sunday’s crash took place nearly two months after a similar hit-and-run, also involving a pickup truck, in Northwest Miami-Dade.
Investigators said the driver of a truck hit a man in the area of Northwest 97th Street and 27th Avenue, just before 10:30 p.m. on July 29.
“The victim was crossing mid-block in the area of 27th Avenue and Northwest 97th Street when the subject’s vehicle was traveling northbound on the same avenue,” said MDPD Detective Angel Rodriguez.
Police said the driver in this case got out of his vehicle.
“[The driver] approaches the victim but doesn’t call 911 nor renders aid to the victim,” Rodriguez said. “A short time thereafter, the subject gets back into his vehicle and flees.”
In this case, the truck involved was a dark-colored, newer model Chevrolet Silverado.
Paramedics rushed the pedestrian to Ryder Trauma Center where he succumbed to his injuries on Sept. 2. He was identified as 60-year-old Cadestin Saintcyr.
“Detectives are seeking the assistance of the community and especially, specifically body shops,” Rodriguez said. “Please call the Crime Stoppers tip line with any information.”
If you have any information on either of these this hit-and-run crashes or the drivers’ whereabouts, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward of up to $5,000.
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