Motorcyclist struck and killed in Miami by teen driving stolen car: Police

A man on a motorcycle died after he was struck by a stolen car driven by a teen who investigators believe was speeding and ran a red light in Miami early Tuesday, officials said.

Miami Police said it happened just after 2 a.m. in the area of Northwest 20th Street and Northwest 7th Avenue, a busy intersection in the heart of the city near Jackson Memorial Hospital.

The motorcycle rider, 34-year-old John Koontz, was struck by a red Kia Soul, which sent the car and motorcycle crashing into some bushes and caused the Kia to flip onto its side, Miami Police spokesman Mike Vega said.

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"Based on the preliminary investigation, we can tell that the Kia was headed southbound on Northwest 7th Avenue at a high rate of speed, ran the red light," Vega said.

Surveillance video showed the car speeding through the intersection before hitting the motorcycle and rolling over.

First responders took Koontz to the hospital, but he did not survive, authorities said.

NBC6 spoke briefly to an emotional woman at the scene who did not want to show her face on camera but was identified as his wife.

"He's a great husband, a father of two kids," she shared through tears.

Family said Koontz's children are 2 and 7.

"The family is devastated because they’ve taken a great guy from us. He was an outstanding person who would do everything for his family," said one family member who didn't want to be identified.

Family Photos

Vega said the driver and passenger from the Kia remained on scene. They were treated at the scene and were being interviewed by detectives.

Police said the Kia was stolen and that the 17-year-old driver is being charged with grand theft of a vehicle. Charges in the crash are pending.

According to an arrest report, the car had been stolen out of North Miami and records showed the teen has never had a driver's license issued to him.

Vega said no one else was injured in the crash.

"Luckily there was nobody on the sidewalks because we know that this is very close to a school," he said.