AVENTURA, Fla. – Police are investigating the hit-and-run death of a 70-year-old Vietnam veteran in Aventura.
Joggers discovered Richard James Flaherty's body on Northeast 199th Street near 29th Place about 7 a.m Saturday.
Police believe he was hit about 3:30 a.m. and was left there for several hours before he was discovered.
The victim's belongings were seen thrown all over the roadway.
People who work near where the accident occurred said they knew the victim and are shocked by what happened. They said Flaherty frequented the area and mostly kept to himself.
"A very quiet guy kept to himself (and) didn't bother nobody. A gentleman; a real gentleman," a worker said.
Detectives said he received the Silver Star and several Bronze Stars while serving in Vietnam.
Flaherty's brother told Local 10 News that the victim was a short man, and at 4 feet 10 inches tall, he had to fight for his place in the Army. He said after returning home from war, his brother was never the same and had been homeless for more than a decade.
"I was angry. He was in the crosswalk and to get hit and leave the scene. Who knows if something could've been done," the victim's brother said.
Officers said they have located the vehicle believed to have been involved and it is currently being analyzed by investigators.
Investigators tell Local 10 the suspected driver is cooperating with investigators.
No arrests have been made at this time.
Anyone with information is urged to call police.
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