A driver has been arrested after an elderly woman was struck and killed by a truck while crossing the street in Miami Monday night.
The 78-year-old woman, identified by family members as Fannie Ash, was struck in the area of Northwest 61st Street and 12th Avenue as she was walking to church, Miami Police said.
She was rushed to a nearby hospital where she later died.
Marty Leven Howard, 55, was arrested and charged with DUI manslaughter and leaving the scene of a crash involving death, according to a police report.
Howard struck the woman with his Ford pickup truck and left the scene but returned after his son and stepdaughter convinced him to go back, the report said.
"Let me tell you something. I'm the one that was driving. I hit somebody," Howard told an officer at the scene, according to the report.
The officer observed that Howard had bloodshot eyes, slurred speech and an odor of alcohol on his breath, the report said.
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Howard told police the woman "jumped out of nowhere" and said he left the scene after he saw people come out of a nearby apartment building with guns and became scared.
He also said he "had a few beers today," the report said.
"This guy had to be drunk or something and they say he fled the scene," Ernest Ash, the victim's brother, told NBC 6 South Florida. "And they drive so fast, drive so fast."
"It's real sad, it hurts, I couldn't sleep last night just thinking about it because she's a nice lady," friend Gary Lewis said.
Jail records showed Howard (below) was being held on $25,000 bond Tuesday. It was unknown whether he has an attorney.
Police are still investigating the incident.
Check back with NBC 6 South Florida and NBC6.com for updates.
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