MIAMI – Detectives obtained new evidence showing that a Venezuelan politician and activist was the driver initially at fault in a deadly crash in which he fled the scene — not the 29-year-old killed — Miami police told Local 10 News on Thursday.
Authorities initially said Junior Eugene ran a red light at South LeJeune Road and Southwest Eighth Street near the border between Miami and Coral Gables 3:30 a.m. Monday, striking the 50-year-old activist, Gilber Caro, who fled the scene. Eugene was pronounced dead at the scene.
But police now say that new evidence reveals that Caro — rather than Eugene — was the one who disobeyed the traffic signal.
Officer Michael Vega, a Miami Police Department spokesperson, said dash camera evidence from a third vehicle involved shows that Eugene actually had the green light.
Caro, facing a charge of leaving the scene of a crash causing death, bonded out of jail following his arrest Tuesday. However, Vega said he’s now expected to face additional charges.
Online records show he is a deputy of the National Assembly of Venezuela. He was also listed as a politician, political prisoner and activist, according to reports.
Local 10 News reached out to Caro’s attorney, who is currently in Madrid, and he said he was withholding comment because he has yet to see the video or speak with law enforcement.
Eugene’s family has created a GoFundMe page to help pay for his funeral expenses.