15-year-old cyclist hospitalized after hit-and-run in North Miami Beach; Police say driver has been arrested – WSVN 7News | Miami News, Weather, Sports

NORTH MIAMI BEACH, FLA. (WSVN) – Police arrested a woman who hit a 15-year-old boy riding his bike in North Miami Beach and fled the scene, sending the young victim to the hospital.

Miami-Dade Police units responded to a hit-and-run in the area of ​​Northeast 167th Street and Sixth Avenue just before 5 p.m. Wednesday.

Speaking to 7News hours later, the teen’s mother, Juliet Lopez, said he crashed on the sidewalk while riding his bike.

“There were bruises as a result of being hit by the car,” Lopez said, speaking through a translator. “(The woman driving the car) never admitted her mistake.”

Speaking to 7News by phone, another driver, Roxana Smilovich, said she witnessed the moment of collision, which was also recorded on security camera.

“We were at a red light going south on Sixth Avenue. There was a car at the entrance of a plaza, and apparently the car behind me was supposed to enter the square, so instead of waiting for the green light, he decided to go around me illegally,” Smilovich said, “and when he left, we drove into the plaza, and a biker, a little boy, was on his bike, and she hit him.” .”

Police said the driver’s impatience turned into another family’s pain.

“He dragged her bike under her car and crushed her,” Lopez said.

Smilovich said the driver didn’t stick around.

“I saw him get into his car, so I made sure to take a photo of his license plate,” he said.

“All he did was mistreat my son and walk away,” Lopez said.

North Miami Beach Police corroborated Smilovich’s statement and said the woman behind the wheel of the SUV that hit the teens cut off Smilovich’s car during rush hour to cut off the route to the plaza.

“He came out and asked if she was okay but he didn’t seem worried at all; he seemed angrier,” Smilovich said. “This lady looks at him like he’s an inconvenience.”

7Skyforce flew over a group of people near a downed stop sign, including the young victim sitting next to his bike in a grassy area. A woman was seen talking to the police.

Lopez told 7News she is heartbroken and angry.

“I’m scared because he’s always on his bike and he’s always careful, but there are people who don’t respect the law,” she said.

“And I said, ‘You know, if he had just been patient, you wouldn’t have hit him,'” Smilovich said.

North Miami Beach Police said the driver, who fled the scene, was taken into custody a short time later with the assistance of MDPD and was later arrested.

“The reality is there are a lot of people in this city, there will be traffic and you just have to be more patient,” Saud Smilovich said.

The teen remained alert and was seen talking to responding officers. But his family said his pain was getting worse and they took him to a local hospital for a check-up around 7 p.m.

The victim’s condition was unknown late Wednesday night.

Detectives did not specify what charges the driver may be facing.

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