Miami-Dade police seek public’s help to find driver in deadly hit-and-run

Police ID driver’s vehicle as blue or gray Honda CR-V

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – Police in Miami-Dade County are asking the public for assistance in locating the driver and SUV involved in a hit-and-run that they said left a man dead earlier this month.

Investigators were out in the community Wednesday distributing fliers and speaking with potential witnesses in northwest Miami-Dade.

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The incident occurred on Nov. 1, when investigators said 42-year-old Villi Mena Ortiz was crossing the intersection at Northwest 27th Avenue and Northwest 132nd Street shortly before 2 a.m.

Police said Ortiz was struck by an SUV and was left lying on the roadside for an extended period before a passerby discovered him and called 911.

Detectives with the Miami-Dade Police Department’s traffic homicide unit have gathered evidence from the scene, including debris and surveillance footage, which they confirmed helped identify the type of vehicle involved.

Authorities are now looking for a blue or gray Honda CR-V, model year between 2012 and 2014, which likely has front-end damage from the collision.

Ortiz leaves behind a grieving family, including his wife and two teenage children, ages 17 and 15.

Miami-Dade police urge anyone with information on the vehicle or its driver to come forward. Those with tips can contact Miami Crime Stoppers at 305-471-8477.


About the Author
Annaliese Garcia headshot

Annaliese Garcia joined Local 10 News in January 2020. Born and raised in Miami, she graduated from the University of Miami, where she studied broadcast journalism. She began her career at Univision. Before arriving at Local 10, she was with NBC2 (WBBH-TV) covering Southwest Florida. She's glad to be back in Miami!

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