HIALEAH, Fla. – An 85-year-old man died Friday morning after being struck by a vehicle near Amelia Earhart Park in Hialeah, authorities confirmed.
The incident occurred around 7 a.m. in the area of East 65th Street, between East Fourth and Fifth Avenues.
Hialeah police spokeswoman Adriana Quintana said the victim was crossing the street at the crosswalk when he was struck by a large vehicle that was driving at a high rate of speed.
The driver fled the scene.
Quintana said the victim lived a few blocks away from the scene, and would typically go for a walk in the morning to Amelia Earhart Park.
Police said the impact of the collision sent the victim flying in the air 30 to 40 feet before he hit the ground.
Pedro Roman said drivers speed in this area too often. “Even if you’re drunk, if you hit someone, you should stop,” Roman said.
The hit-and-run was not captured on surveillance video, police said.
Nearby roads blocked were blocked off during the investigation. Quintana said the vehicle involved in the crash would have visible damage to the front right side.
Investigators are desperate for the public’s help as they try to come up with a vehicle description.
Anyone with further information is asked to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-8477.