The family of a motorcyclist injured in a hit-and-run in Miami pleads for help
The family of a motorcyclist critically injured after being the victim of a hit-and-run in Miami is asking for help finding the driver who is responsible for the crash.
Major Frank Fernandez of the Miami Police Department said officers found Juan Ruiz seriously injured when they arrived at Northwest 12th Avenue and Northwest 43rd Street around 7:40 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 30.
The 33-year-old was transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center where he remains in serious condition, cops said Monday in a press conference at police headquarters.
According to authorities, Ruiz was driving a motorcycle in the neighborhood of Model City on his way to a family event at a nearby park when a driver did not yield to incoming traffic, causing the collision. Police say they’re looking for the driver of a black Dodge Ram pickup truck or similar with damage to the right rear side.
Joselyn Suraj-Persad, Ruiz’s sister, asked people to help police find the hit-and-run driver.
“I know there is someone out there who saw something. So we beg you, please, to give us the information that we need,” she said while holding a photo of her brother.
Suraj-Persad said Ruiz is a family-oriented man who always tries to get the family together; his mother’s birthday was last week.
“It was so sad that we were all there and he was not there,” she added.
Florida sees jump in hit-and-run fatalities
In Florida, 304 people died last year as a result of hit-and-run crashes, a 35% increase compared to 2015, according to data of the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
- 2015: 197 fatalities
- 2016: 213 fatalities
- 2017: 212 fatalities
- 2018: 206 fatalities
- 2019: 217 fatalities
- 2020: 257 fatalities
- 2021: 304 fatalities
Of those, 81 or nearly 27% happened in Miami-Dade and Broward counties, the data shows. In 2020, both counties reported a total of 62 fatalities.
“We are seeing an increase in this type of accident in our region,” Fernandez said.
Drivers involved in traffic accidents must stop and help those injured, Fernandez noted, adding that it’s never too late for drivers to contact police if they fled the scene of a crash.
“You may just be that person that saves a life,” he said.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Miami Police Department’s Traffic Homicide Unit at (305) 603-6525. Those with information who wish to remain anonymous can contact Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at (305) 471-TIPS (8477), visit www.crimestoppersmiami.com and select “Give a Tip” or Send a text message to 274637.
This story was originally published February 14, 2022 at 9:30 PM.
