LITTLE HAVANA, Fla. – A Miami man has been arrested after two people were injured when a stolen truck crashed into a Little Havana home Tuesday afternoon, authorities said.
Delvis Gonzalez, 46, faces charges of grand theft and driving without a valid license.
Authorities said the truck hit a white Nissan and then slammed into a home near the 600 block of Northwest 18th Avenue, just south of the Dolphin Expressway.
Local 10 News was told that a family of five, including a 1-year-old baby, live inside of the home.
Kety Brito, who lives in the home, told Local 10 News’ Christian De La Rosa how the truck collided into the wall next to her daughter’s crib while her baby was still inside.
She said she grabbed her daughter as debris was falling and was able to get her out unharmed.
Officials said Gonzalez, who was found sitting in the driver’s seat of the stolen truck, was trapped after the crash and rescue crews had to extricate him from the vehicle.
According to Miami Fire Rescue Capt. Ignatius Carroll Jr., the driver of the Nissan was taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center.
Former University of Miami wide receiver Ahmmon Richards said the truck was stolen from his College Hunks Moving Junk removal business about a mile away from the crash scene.
“He went around the circle and tried to come across the street here and I guess he lost control,” said Richards. “This easily could’ve ended up a thousand percent a fatality.”
Authorities said that none of the victims that live inside the home, including the 1-year-old, were injured during the crash.
“I (used my) Motherly instinct--God told me to run,” she said.
Brito was able to grab her daughter while dodging debris. They both made it to safety.
According to Carroll, Gonzalez was transported to the hospital after leaving a trail of destruction behind, putting many lives at risk.
“That’s what really bothered me,” said Richards. “The truck is fixable and all that type of stuff, but if someone dies, you can’t bring them back.”
Fire Rescue officials told Local 10 News that the house was deemed unsafe.
Brito said she is looking for a new place to live but is grateful that she and her daughter are alive.