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Man Killed in Hit-and-Run: A Man in His 40s Was Thrown 47 Feet By a Speeding Black Car in Miami's Third Hit-and-Run Death in Three Weeks. Police Said Alcohol Was Likely a Factor In

Posted on: Tuesday, 20 June 2006, 06:00 CDT

By David Ovalle, The Miami Herald

Jun. 20--A black car with tinted windows leaving a Miami bar plowed into a man walking on the street late Sunday night, throwing him 47 feet to his death before speeding off, police said.

It was the third hit-and-run death in as many weekends in Miami, police said Monday, and alcohol was likely a factor in all three.

"People are not getting the message about drinking and driving," said Miami Lt. Bill Schwartz, a police spokesman.

The latest death comes four months after Miami police launched a multilanguage education campaign and traffic enforcement detail aimed at reducing the number of traffic accidents and fatalities citywide.

Miami-Dade detectives also arrested two men in a pair of unrelated hit-and-run crashes over the weekend.

A 3-year-old and 19-year-old were seriously injured but survived.

In Broward, a 17-year-old on a motorcycle was injured Monday by a man driving a truck, who later sped away only to be pulled over by a deputy. He was arrested. Deputies said they smelled alcohol on his breath.

Traffic fatalities have risen significantly this year in Miami, according to the city's traffic homicide unit.

In 2005, detectives worked 54 traffic deaths, including four hit-and-runs. Three of those who were killed were pedestrians.

So far this year, there have already been 33 traffic deaths, including five hit-and-runs. Four of those killed were pedestrians.

Other than larger transportation issues -- more cars on the road, a growing population -- detectives are trying to figure out larger patterns behind the increase in deaths.

"We're trying to find a common denominator, but it's not there," Miami traffic homicide Sgt. Luis Taborda said.

Many pedestrian deaths have involved elderly people crossing roads in the southern half of Miami, police said. But not all.

The victim Sunday was described as a white Latin man in his 40s. He was not carrying ID and had not been identified late Monday.

"He didn't have a chance," Taborda said.

The crash happened within view of Connie's Bar, 742 NW 5th Ave., about 9 p.m., police said.

The black car, possibly an Audi, escaped west down Northwest 8th Street at a "high rate of speed," police said.

Detectives are asking potential witnesses to come forward.

Anyone with information can call Miami traffic homicide detectives at 305-579-6600 or Miami-Dade CrimeStoppers at 305-471-TIPS.

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Copyright (c) 2006, The Miami Herald

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Source: The Miami Herald

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