8-year-old girl hit by car in Hallandale Beach, driver took off
FORT LAUDERDALE - An eight-year-old girl was rushed to the hospital Monday morning after being struck by a car.
Hallandale Beach police said around 7:30 a.m. she was struck in the 800 block of SW 3rd Street. The girl was hit as she was crossing the street.
The girl was just blocks away from her school.
Police said there are multiple schools in the area, but did not say which school the child attends.
Andre Malek is shaken talking about what happened feet from his door.
"She couldn't say much, she was in shock. She was in shock, like out, you know. She couldn't even cry, she was in such shock. I knew that she was hurt, (but) she didn't feel what really happened yet. And then I heard her screaming and after a couple of minutes it really hurt," said Malek, who went to the girl to help her.
The girl, who Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue said suffered a broken arm, cuts and bruises, was taken to Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital in serious condition.
Claudia Romero says it's every parent's worst fear.
The school is on a block with a lot of traffic and kids dart in and out. That's why police say every driver needs to pay attention especially on school days.
"Look both ways stay off your phone and be aware so these incidents don't happen," said Capt. Megan Jones of the Hallandale Police Department.
Police said the driver did stop and carried the girl off the street. However, he left before officers arrived.
After speaking with witnesses and reviewing surveillance video, Hallandale Beach police made an arrest.
Berdy Lubin, 37, has been charged with leaving the scene of an accident with injuries. Police said Lubin is a habitual traffic offender and was driving with insurance or vehicle registration.
Police said a BOLO "be on the lookout" bulletin led them to Lubin.