MIAMI – A memorial was held for the victim of a deadly motorcycle crash in Miami, as Local 10 News learns more about the events leading up to the tragic incident.
Anthony Herrmann’s family, friends and colleagues have described him as a promising young man, vibrant, well-loved, and hard-working.
Herrmann was killed at an intersection in a tragic crash while returning from helping set up a booth for an artist his brother represents, who is paying tribute to him during Miami Art Week.
“My brother was helping me in all regards, setting up and managing the business to represent the artist. Working with him was challenging but inspiring. We really found a way to work with each other, helping each other,” said Daniel Moreno, Anthony’s brother.
In the bustle of Miami Art Week, at Spectrum Miami, a curated art fair at Mana Wynwood, gallery owner Moreno said he feels the weight of the loss of his 25-year-old brother.
“When we materialized a lot of the plans he and I made, seeing them come together in real life makes his presence even stronger,” Moreno said.
Artist Marco Olivier, represented by the brothers and in town from Cape Town for the fair, shared his sentiments.
“Maybe Anthony was too good for this life. He was special, and you knew he was going to do amazing things, and I wanted to be part of it,” Olivier said. “He was supposed to be here. He was a very special kid that I was very excited to have on board. We don’t know why these things happen in life, why people need to die early. I know we will meet him on the other side again.”
Moreno reflected on his brother’s character: “He was probably one of the most disciplined people I know. He would dive first into everything, not asking why but how much can I do, what can I do to help. If someone needed help, he was there to help them.”
Miami police said that around 9 p.m. on Oct. 28, Herrmann had a green light as he rode his motorcycle from I-95 South onto U.S. 1.
“That evening we were setting up a similar booth at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show and we said goodbye, we went our separate ways home,” Moreno said.
At the intersection of Southwest 17th Avenue, a woman, turning left westward, collided with Herrmann, killing him.
“When I received the news, I had no real answer. I thought, how can it possibly be true?” Olivier said.
An independent witness confirmed that the vehicle turning left was at fault, Miami police Officer Mike Vega said. The driver, identified as 58-year-old Maria Martinez, was cited for failing to yield the right of way.
“It is a traffic infraction; however, it is enhanced because a death resulted,” Vega explained. “The female driver could have her license suspended for an undetermined amount of time due to the enhanced penalty.”
When asked why reckless driving charges were not pursued, Vega said, “We have to prove there was a willful and wanton manner in which the person committed the accident. In this case, she didn’t see the motorcycle or estimated that the motorcyclist was at a greater distance when she made the left turn, so we cannot prove that she acted in a willful or wanton manner.”
The case was closed after a review by the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office, which found insufficient evidence for criminal charges.
Over the phone, Martinez expressed her remorse, stating how sorry she was for what happened and that she never imagined being involved in such a tragic incident. She said she doesn’t know how she’ll be able to live with what happened.
Vega noted that an off-duty firefighter attempted to revive Herrmann at the scene, but his injuries were too severe.
“He was a young man, just starting to live his life, and he was doing the right thing because he had a helmet on,” Vega said.
Olivier plans to create a memorial sculpture in Herrmann’s honor, which will travel to shows across the country.
Daniel Moreno hopes for a public art display along a Metrorail concrete column of the Underline at the intersection to honor his brother.