Miramar Police Honor Witnesses Who Helped With Hit & Run Driver
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MIRAMAR (CBSMiami) – Miramar Police Chief Dexter Williams presented certificates of appreciation to nine witnesses on Tuesday who helped put a hit and run driver in handcuffs.
On May 7th, the day before Mother's Day, Michelle James and her two young children were at a bus stop when the driver, Jessica Crane, slammed her car in to them.
James, who was five months pregnant, and her kids were sent to the hospital.
James' pelvis was crushed and her unborn baby died.
Several witnesses stayed on the scene with James and her children. but some chased Crane down.
A mile and a half later they blocked Crane's car to keep her from driving anymore and then physically restrained her, removing the keys from her 2008 Infiniti's ignition.
Ramon Rodriguez was one of those people.
"When I saw the two cars trying to block her we jumped in to action," said Rodriguez. "We ended up blocking them, it was a team effort."
And that team was honored today by the Miramar Police Department for their heroic actions.
"I wish we could give them something more for their heroic acts but I think I think honoring them and them being here today says volumes," said Miramar Police Chief Dexter Williams.
When Rodriguez and his wife chased down Crane, he jokingly said it was like being in the movie Fast and Furious.
"I'm not proud of a few things we did trying to get here, too many cops in here," Rodriguez said with a smile.
But Rodriguez says he and all the witnesses risked their own wellbeing, but it was worth it to make sure Crane was brought to justice
"You have to do the right thing. I have daughters, it wasn't easy," Rodriguez said.
