MIAMI – A 17-year-old boy who was arrested Tuesday morning for allegedly stealing a car before being involved in a crash with a motorcyclist is back behind bars Thursday as he’s facing more charges.
Omari Terry turned himself in at the Miami Police Department Thursday morning.
Terry, who police say does not have a valid driver’s license, was initially arrested on one count of grand theft auto. But now he’s facing additional charges of vehicular homicide/reckless manner and driving without a license causing death.
Those charges are related to the death of John Koontz, 34, who died after his motorcyclist was struck by the stolen Kia Soul.
According to police, officers were called to the area of Northwest Seventh Avenue and 20th Street just after 2 a.m. Tuesday after a crash occurred between a motorcycle and a red Kia Soul.
Sky 10 was above the scene hours later, shortly before 7 a.m., as the red vehicle was rolled over on its side in some nearby bushes.
Police confirmed Terry drove through a red light before colliding into the motorcycle, sending both the car and motorcycle into the bushes.
Koontz was transported by Miami Fire Rescue to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center where he was pronounced dead.
“His life was his kids. His life was that,” said Lizanette Koontz, John Koontz’s wife. “He was gonna go to school and start in the fall to start social work. He was a blessing.”
Lizanette Koontz said her husband was out delivering food because he wanted to make extra money to help his family.
“I never expected any of this to happen,” she said. “All this happened because he wanted to make extra money to help.”
Koontz’s family has launched a GoFundMe page to assist with funeral costs and ensure financial support for his children’s future.
Click here if you would like to contribute.