Family distraught after hit-and-run crash sends father of 2 girls to ICU

MIAMI – A South Florida family is making a plea for help after a loved one was badly injured in a hit-and-run crash.

RJ Otero was on his way to work around 7 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 4 when his vehicle was hit on the Julia Tuttle Causeway.

His wife, Natalie Alvarez, told Local 10 News she is lost right now without her husband.

“I swear, I keep thinking he is going to walk through the door,” she said.

Aftermath of a hit and run crash on the Julia Tuttle Causeway. (WPLG)

Otero is currently in the Intensive Care Unit at Jackson Memorial Hospital fighting for his life.

After the crash, Alvarez said receiving the news was gut wrenching, not knowing if her husband was going to live or die.

“I finally got a hold of somebody who told me he was alive,” she said. “Ryder Trauma Center. Excruciating three hours of my life.”

Alvarez said Otero is the rock of the family, the ultimate father to his two daughters and loved by all who know him.

“He’s usually my go-to person for everything, and I don’t have him now,” she said. “He’s the person, he takes care of everything.”

A GoFundMe page was created to help the family during this difficult time. To visit the page, click here.


About the Author
Alex Finnie headshot

Alex Finnie joined the Local 10 News team in May 2018. South Florida is home! She was raised in Miami and attended the Cushman School and New World School of the Arts for high school.

Loading...

Recommended Videos