A dirt bike rider was killed in a crash over the weekend in West Park, just days before scores of people took to the streets of South Florida in their off-road vehicles for the annual “Wheels Up, Guns Down” rideout, authorities confirmed Tuesday.
The crash was reported shortly after 6 p.m. Saturday at the intersection of Southwest 56th Avenue and 23rd Street.
According to Broward Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Miranda Grossman, Jerameel Muniz, 19, was traveling at a high rate of speed while heading west on Southwest 23rd Street on a Yamaha dirt bike as a 17-year-old boy was heading south on Southwest 56th Avenue in a Dodge Caravan.
Grossman said Muniz failed to stop at a posted stop sign and both vehicles entered the intersection at the same time, colliding with each other.
Muniz was ejected from his dirt bike and was pronounced dead at Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood, Grossman said.
The teenage driver remained at the scene, along with his 38-year-old passenger, and cooperated with detectives, Grossman said.
“I just heard a boom but I didn’t know what was going on until somebody came running inside and said, ‘Call 911,’” witness Rina Garcia said. “I think it is so sad for his family. I feel so bad.”
According to Muniz’s relatives, the young man was passionate about working on motorcycles and had recently graduated from the Sharon School of Excellence in Pembroke Pines.
His family members said they have been gathering at his home supporting his mother and are waiting for more answers as to what led up to the crash.
Grossman said the investigation remains ongoing.