Toyota

Arrest Made in Deadly Miami Gardens Hit and Run Accident

The Florida Highway Patrol arrested Justin Midolo, 35, Tuesday afternoon for his alleged role in a fatal hit-and-run accident last week.

FHP said Midolo is facing a minimum of one first-degree felony charge of leaving the scene of an accident involving death after he allegedly walked away from the hit-and-run accident near the intersection of Miami Gardens Drive and 18th Avenue last Monday.

FHP investigators believe Midolo was driving a black Mercedes westbound on Miami Gardens Drive at a high rate of speed, ran a red light, and then started a chain reaction crash. FHP said Midolo’s Mercedes slammed into a silver Toyota so hard it sent Lucia Hernandez, 37, flying out of her vehicle before she landed on the other side of the road. Another car then ran over Hernandez.

The Mercedes then spun from hitting the Toyota and hit a two truck near the scene. FHP investigators said the driver of the Mercedes, who they believe is Midolo, ran from the scene of the accident shortly after getting out of his vehicle.

Hernandez was taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital's Ryder Trauma Center where she was pronounced dead Saturday evening, FHP said.

According to court records, Midolo has previous convictions for driving without a license, grand theft, and possession of a controlled substance. He also has charges from drug possesion to theft to speeding date back to the 1990's.

"Several years ago, he spent eight years and 10 months in prison for committing the same violation, he took somebody else's life driving with a suspended driver's license," said FHP Trooper Joe Sanchez.

FHP said additional charges will follow after it consults with the State Attorney’s Office.

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