Teen driving stolen car jailed after deadly scooter crash in Wynwood, Miami police say
.jpg "A man has died after being struck by a speeding car early Tuesday morning, according to Miami Police.")
A 17-year-old driving in a stolen car is in jail after speeding through a red light and crashing into a man on a scooter early Tuesday morning, according to Miami police.
The crash happened around 2 a.m. at Northwest 20th Street and Seventh Avenue, where a red Kia collided with the scooter, sending both vehicles into the bushes at the corner of a building.
The 34-year-old man on the scooter, John Koontz, was taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital and later died. The Kia’s teen driver and his female passenger were treated at the scene and taken to the Miami police station for questioning.
Police say the Kia was heading south on Northwest Seventh Avenue at a high speed when it ran a red light, striking the eastbound motorcyclist.
A background search showed that the Kia was reported stolen out of North Miami, and the teen driver, who the Miami Herald is not naming because of his age, had no license. He was charged with first-degree grand theft vehicle and taken to a juvenile corrections center.
Roads were closed in all directions at the intersection, but have since reopened.
This story was originally published February 4, 2025 at 8:49 AM.