Pictures Of "Vehicle Of Interest" Released In Deadly Hit & Run
MIRAMAR (CBS4) - A grieving father, whose 6-year-old son was killed by a hit-and-run driver, pleaded for the public's help on Monday after two new grainy photographs were released of what police are calling a "vehicle of interest".
"The loss of this child is so incredible," Jermaine Binns, told CBS4's Peter D'Oench. "My child was so important. I didn't realize how much I loved my son until he passed away."
D'Oench showed him the two pictures of a white, four-door car that Miramar Police said may be a vehicle involved in De'Andre Binns' death.
"We are not saying that this is definitely the car that hit the child, but it is clearly a vehicle of interest and we would like to find the driver," said Miramar Police spokeswoman Tania Rues.
"This is a white, four door car and we are no longer looking for a White Dodge charger," said Rues. "Initially we had thought the vehicle was possible a white Dodge Charger but that is not the case."
The photos released by Miramar Police are fuzzy but police and the victim's father hope someone will recognize any details.
"I appreciate the fact that no one will rest until we get this guy," said Binns. "I just want justice; I want someone to come forward. He was just a 6-year-old child. He was just starting his life. I know that God had a plan. But I had a plan too for him and I was not done with his plan."
The accident happened around 8:3o p.m. last Wednesday. Police said De'Andre was with his mother and his mother's boyfriend at a McDonald's Restaurant at Southwest 62nd Avenue and Miramar Parkway.
Police said the mother's boyfriend was crossing Miramar Parkway while holding one child. Investigators said that's when De'Andre ran into the street to follow him.
Police say the driver of the newer model four door white sedan hit Binns. On impact the boy was forced onto the hood of the car. The driver reportedly swerved to dislodge him. When Binns fell off, he was run over. Police say the driver did not stop to help.
Binns was taken to Joe DiMaggio Hospital where he died.
The release of the new photographs is the first development since the owner of a gas station across the street had dark and grainy surveillance video that he said showed the car that hit De'Andre.
"We are hurting so much since the loss of De'Andre," said his father. "The whole family is hurting. We are very hurt. It was hard for me just to go to work today but I had to."
Jermaine Binns said the family is now discussing funeral plans.
"Please, give me peace," said Jermaine Binns. "I am begging you. Somebody out there knows something. You must think about it."
Miramar Police said so far they have only received a few tips.
"Please, please come forward. This is really heartbreaking," De'Andre's mother Monique Batchelor told D'Oench last Thursday. "De'Andre meant the world to me. He was going to be the shining star."
Investigators ask anyone who may information which could help them find the car or who may have been driving it that night to contact Broward County Crime Stoppers at (954) 493-TIPS.
