A 35-year-old man was violently thrown into the air and left unconscious in the street after being struck by a hit-and-run driver in the Allapattah neighborhood of northwest Miami this week.
The alarming incident took place early Tuesday morning and was captured on a dramatic surveillance video by the cameras at Luxury Custom Garage.
The accident occurred just before 6:00 a.m. at the intersection of Northwest 7th Avenue and 27th Street.
The footage reveals the man crossing the street mid-block—away from a designated crosswalk—while pushing an electric scooter alongside a woman with a bicycle. In a matter of seconds, a dark-colored vehicle violently hits him, sending him airborne, and then speeds away without offering help.
A Miami Police officer, who was refueling his patrol car at a gas station across the street, heard the screeching tires followed by the impact.
Police spokesperson Michael Vega described the scene to WSVN 7News: "He hears the screeching of the tires, then hears a bang. He looks and sees the victim falling to the ground after being struck by the vehicle."
Miami Fire Rescue transported the man, who was unconscious but breathing, to the Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital in critical condition. Authorities expect him to recover, though he likely suffered multiple bone fractures.
Legal Consequences for the Driver
The driver fled and now faces severe charges. Vega explained that the pedestrians were crossing improperly, making the victim initially at fault for the accident. However, the driver's decision to flee drastically changed his legal situation.
"Had he stayed at the scene, nothing would have happened to him, as the pedestrian was at fault for this accident," Vega noted, according to CBS Miami. "It could have just been a fine. But leaving the scene of an accident, he now faces a more serious charge for leaving the scene with serious bodily injury," he added.
Under Florida law, this is a second-degree felony, punishable by up to 15 years in prison, fines up to $10,000, and license revocation for a minimum of three years.
Authorities are searching for a black or very dark sedan or SUV with significant front-end and windshield damage.
Community Outrage and Call for Justice
Nelson Agustín, owner of Luxury Custom Garage, shared the video in hopes someone would recognize the vehicle or driver. Anyone with information can anonymously contact Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at (305) 471-8477, with the possibility of receiving a reward of up to $5,000.
Vega issued a direct plea to the driver: "If you are the driver of the vehicle, please come forward and do the right thing."
The incident has stirred outrage among Allapattah residents. "I feel like this is crazy, a pedestrian crossing the street gets hit, and they just drive off. It's someone's life. I hope they find him and get him off the streets," said neighbor Orin Cartwright to CBS Miami.
Another resident, who preferred to remain anonymous, added, "This has been happening a lot lately. It's a disgrace to hit someone and drive off without offering help."
In Miami-Dade, between 2021 and 2025, hit-and-run incidents accounted for 33.1% of all county crashes, resulting in 166 deaths and over 17,000 injuries.
Understanding Hit-and-Run Laws in Florida
What are the penalties for leaving the scene of an accident in Florida?
In Florida, leaving the scene of an accident involving serious bodily injury is a second-degree felony, punishable by up to 15 years in prison, $10,000 in fines, and a minimum of three years of license revocation.
How can residents help solve hit-and-run cases?
Residents can assist by reporting any information they have about the vehicle or driver involved in a hit-and-run to local authorities or Crime Stoppers, often anonymously, and may be eligible for a reward.