Man killed by hit-and-run driver while walking on Okeechobee Road in Miramar
MIRAMAR - Miramar police are asking for the public's help after they say an unidentified man who was older than 55 was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver while he walking along busy U.S. 27.
The case is also prompting a warning from police about walking on highways and CBS News Miami is also hearing from a witness who says he believes he saw the victim before the crash.
Miramar police say a 911 call came in about the incident around 6:45 a.m. The man's body was discovered in the northbound lanes of U.S. 27 just south of Pembroke Road.
Carlos Betancourt who operates a food truck nearby believes he saw the man walking on the highway. He told CBS News MIami's Peter D'Oench, "I saw him this morning between 545 and 550 and he was walking on Okeechobee Road south. After the accident, I called Crime Stoppers because he was a human. It is not good to leave someone on the road."
Sonia Torrano operates another food truck nearby.
She said, "He was walking inside the street and was not on the shoulder. For me, this is not good. I don't feel good. I don't like that this happened. If you hit somebody you have to stop and wait for police and file a report."
Miramar Police spokeswoman Tania Rues said, "This person was older than 55 and he did not have identification with him. We are working very diligently to identify him and notify family members. What I can tell you is that based on the injuries he was struck by a vehicle that fled the scene."
Rues said, "It is not the first time this has happened in this area. This was quite unfortunate and we need witnesses to come forward. It is very important that people stay on the scene and try to render aid and call 911 for first responders can get there as quickly as possible and possibly save a life. We also stress that people may be afraid but you have to do the right thing."
She said, "If you leave the scene, it changes everything. We've had cases in the past where drivers are not at fault and not cited."
She had a warning about walking on the roadway of a highway.
She said, "This particular roadway, you do not have a sidewalk in the area. This area is very dark at night and you have a lot of traffic and semi going through there. This is not the best area to go walking. I do want to say this is not the first time a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle in this area so we do want you to use caution."
Anyone with information that can help should call Miramar Police or Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at (305) 471-TIPS (8477).
There is a reward of up to $5,000.