A resident from Hialeah, Elkis Rivero, was taken into custody on Sunday after hitting a construction worker in Miami Springs and fleeing the scene, leaving the injured man in agony on the road, authorities reported.
According to the arrest report, the 45-year-old Cuban national Rivero was speeding when he struck the victim's left leg, causing it to fracture. Additionally, the truck's front passenger side mirror hit the victim's torso, breaking off from the vehicle.
A Miami Springs police officer, who happened to be nearby on another call, witnessed the injured worker lying on the pavement in the 500 block of East Drive around 12:50 a.m. on Sunday. The victim was "screaming in pain" and "calling for help," officials said, and he was rushed to the Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital in critical condition.
Later, the victim told police that he was retrieving equipment from his vehicle when he saw a Ford F-150 speeding towards him. In response to the incident, Miami Springs Police issued an alert. Shortly afterward, Hialeah police informed them that officers had stopped the F-150 in the 500 block of East 23rd Street for hitting two cars and fleeing the scene, as noted in a report by Local 10 News.
The report also mentioned that the truck was missing the right front passenger side mirror and had significant front-end damage. Rivero admitted to police that he had dinner at Pato Tipico restaurant on Northwest 36th Street, just two blocks south of the crash site, and drove north on East Drive but claimed not to recall hitting the worker.
Rivero is currently held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center as of Monday morning. He faces charges of leaving the scene of an accident with serious bodily injury, knowingly driving with a suspended license, and driving with an expired license for more than six months. Bail has not yet been set for Rivero, according to online jail records.
Key Questions About the Hit-and-Run Incident
What charges is Elkis Rivero facing?
Elkis Rivero faces charges of leaving the scene of an accident causing serious bodily injury, driving with a suspended license knowingly, and driving with a license expired for over six months.
Where did the incident occur?
The incident took place in the 500 block of East Drive in Miami Springs.
What condition is the victim in?
The victim was taken to the Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital in critical condition.