Man Heading To Work Hit, Killed On Bird Road
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a deadly hit and run in Southwest Miami-Dade that killed a man.
Authorities said the victim, identified as Miguel Morales Ixmata, was not using a cross walk when he was run over by two vehicles as he tried to cross the road. Neither car stopped.
Ixmata was a widower with four children back home in Guatemala to whom he regularly sent money.
Traffic was closed off in both directions near 112th Avenue as authorities conducted their investigation.
Jorge Hernandez said he's a day laborer and he was about to head to the nearby Home Depot where he looks for work, when the man was struck.
"I was drinking coffee at McDonald's and I heard an impact," said Hernandez, who tried to assist the victim after he was hit.
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Hernandez also said he recognized the victim once he got close as a fellow day laborer who lives nearby and walks to Home Depot looking for work.
"When we attended the person, he was scattered in parts. His head was scattered on the floor," said Hernandez.
Ixmata's best friend, Juan Carlos, rushed to the scene.
"The cars hit him like an animal," Carlos said. "They hit him like an animal."
Florida Highway Patrol said their investigation turned up some critical pieces of evidence.
"We do have pieces of the vehicle at the scene that we can put together," said Florida Highway Patrol spokesman Joe Sanchez.
"He was a great guy. He was just a guy that comes here to Home Depot just like anybody else trying to make money," said Hernandez. "I hope they can apprehend the person that did this, who didn't stop."
"I'm very hurt. He's my friend. He's like my brother," Carlos said. "There has to be justice for him."
If you have any information call Miami-Dade Crime Stopper at (305) 471-TIPS.
