Coral Gables police say they think alcohol was a factor in the crash that killed 19-year-old sophomore Taylor William Emmons. Public Information Officer Karen Denham says investigators are still waiting on toxicology reports to confirm that.
It's the second time in a month a University of Miami student died after being struck by a car near campus.
Highway Patrol Officer Alex Annunziato notes pedestrians don't always have the right of way when crossing. If they safely enter a marked crossing, he said, cars must yield. But if you cross at an unmarked intersection, you cross at your own risk. If a car strikes you, it's your fault, he added.
Emmons was crossing San Amaro Drive near Liguria Avenue when struck by a southbound Toyota Forerunner just after 1:00 a.m.
The driver, 39-year-old Miami resident Mary Jean, stopped immediately and remained on the scene until police arrived.
Emmons was rushed to Doctor's Hospital in Coral Gables, but shortly died as a result of cricital injuries sustained on impact. The incident remains under investigation.
A statement from the school extended its "deepest condolences."
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Emmons, a Sarasota native and member of Sigma Chi fraternity, was an Entrepreneurship major in the School of Business Administration.
The tragedy occurs just a week and a half since police announced they have tracked down the driver in a November 13 hit-and-run that killed junior English major Jared Paul Jones. Jones was struck as he crossed the intersection of Red Road and Blue Road.
Valentina Andrews Hubsch, a local model and actress, turned herslef into police in connection with the hit and run, but police are waiting on DNA evidence to determine whether charges will be filed. Jones lingered in a coma for 10 days for succoming to his injuries on November 23.
