A 38-year-old Cuban man identified as Yulizan Ochoa was taken into custody on Wednesday after authorities confirmed his involvement in a hit-and-run incident that occurred on September 8 in northwest Miami-Dade.
According to the arrest report cited by Local 10, Ochoa struck a man in a wheelchair with his vehicle around 5:40 p.m. at Northwest 186th Street and 68th Avenue and then fled the scene.
Details of the Incident
Miami-Dade police revealed that the victim, whose identity remains undisclosed, was attempting to cross the street at the time of the collision. Ochoa did not stop to assist the injured man after hitting him.
The victim was transported to a hospital by the Miami-Dade fire rescue team, suffering from a fractured left hip and femur.
Key Witness and Arrest
Complicating matters for Ochoa, a witness managed to capture a photograph of the vehicle and its license plate. Detectives reached out to Ochoa on September 25.
The media outlet noted that Ochoa's statement "was removed from the released report."
Legal Consequences
Yulizan Ochoa is now facing charges of leaving the scene of an accident that caused serious bodily injury, for which he has been assigned a bond of $15,000.
In Florida, penalties for leaving the scene of an accident resulting in severe injuries are stringent. The offense is classified as a second-degree felony, which can lead to up to 15 years in prison or probation, along with a $10,000 fine.
Beyond the basic human decency of helping those in need, the law requires anyone involved in an accident to remain at the scene, ensure the well-being of all drivers and passengers, and immediately contact the police.
No additional details about the case have been provided at the time of writing.