Video shows hit-and-run driver help victim before leaving scene in Fort Lauderdale

A South Florida woman is grateful to be alive after a driver hit her while she was on her e-bike in Fort Lauderdale.

Broward Sheriff’s Office detectives in the Airport District are investigating the incident after investigators say the driver helped the victim before leaving the scene.

Margarita Lopez said it happened quickly.

“I just keep playing it over in my mind to see if it was something I did wrong,” Lopez said. “I just remember flying.”

Lopez was on her e-bike heading home last month. She was coming through the tunnel on South Federal Highway near Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport when a driver hit her.

A camera from inside the tunnel shows the driver walking over to check on Lopez and try to stop traffic. He helps her up, then helps her pick up her bike, sits her down and leaves. Lopez said she doesn't remember the man helping her, let alone, that this was the man who hit her.

“Obviously you replay the moments, I'm just glad to be home,” Lopez said while tearing up. “I don't think I did anything wrong because I know my surroundings, I was paying attention.”

Lopez has a severe spinal cord injury and road rash all over her body and is wearing a neck brace.

“With all my fractures, I shouldn't even be walking,” Lopez said. “Everybody is in a rush and nobody cares, they're like just get out of my way and it's happened so many times.”

Lopez is grateful she's alive and she wants the driver who hit her caught.

“When I was looking at my granddaughter I said, I'm lucky to be here,” Lopez said. “Slow down, everybody pay attention.”

This is not the first hit-and-run Lopez has been involved in. She said a car hit her about five years ago in Fort Lauderdale and took off. Lopez cannot work right now due to her injuries.

There is a GoFundMe created for her.

Anyone with information on the driver or vehicle involved in this hit-and-run crash is asked to contact Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS.