Police: 5 Or More Cars Wanted In Deadly Hit & Run
MIAMI-DADE (CBS4) -- Miami-Dade Police are searching for the drivers of five to eight vehicles that struck and killed a pedestrian and then left the scene.
Detectives say 53-year-old Jose Aviles-Vasquez was struck first by a red Honda Accord Saturday at about 9:15 p.m. while he was trying to cross NW 27th Avenue near 115th Street. The driver of the Honda Accord stopped his car and attempted to help him.
However, authorities say, five to eight vehicles traveling in the same southbound direction then struck Aviles-Vasquez again, killing him.
Investigators say none of the other cars stopped after striking Aviles-Vasquez.
His common-law wife Gloria Mandez begged for those drivers to come forward and turn themselves in.
"How could other people do that to another human being and just like nothing happened. There's a god up there," said Mandez.
Aviles-Vasquez was a great grandfather to seven. His granddaughter, Julia Rivera cried over losing him on her birthday.
"You wouldn't want your grandpa to go like this either so if you did this please come forward," said an emotional Rivera.
Police confirm lighting was a problem at the time of the accident. A business owner nearby said the street lights have been out for more than two months.
But when CBS4's Silva Harapetian went to the scene Sunday night, the lights had been fixed.
Police are asking for help from witnesses. Investigators have not identified the makes and models of the vehicles that struck Aviles-Vasquez but evidence indicates each vehicle sustained front-end damage.
Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS
