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1 Dead in Hit and Run Crash Involving Taxi in Downtown Miami

Police in Miami have found a taxi cab involved in a hit-and-run crash that left one person dead in downtown Miami early Thursday, officials said.

The cab was found at 11900 Biscayne Boulevard, police said. The attorney for the cab driver was at the scene and said the driver had no idea he hit anyone.

Police said the driver is being cooperative and will eventually be questioned. The next step is getting a warrant for inside the taxi.

"As the facts develop, you'll see he certainly did not intend to leave the scene in any way," the driver's attorney said.

The incident happened at 401 Biscayne Boulevard near Northeast Fourth Street just after 1:30 a.m., Miami Police said. This is a heavily traversed area by residents and tourists alike, and is just near the American Airlines Arena right across from Bayfront Park and Bayside.

Officers heard the collision and responded to the scene, where they found the victim's body in the middle of the street, officials said.

A witness told NBC 6 that he saw the Crown Victoria taxi cab hit the man as he crossed the street, and that the driver of that cab drove off. He immediately called 911.

"It's replaying in my mind over and over, I will say that. Watching the taxi cab speed away like he didn't care about the guy," witness Manuel Ibanez said.

Officers radioed for help and performed CPR on the victim, but the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

Video showing the cab moments before the crash was also released Thursday. It appears he's going faster than the 35 mile per hour speed limit.

The driver's attorney said although it's unfortunate his client kept going, he was not at fault, "He had the right-of-way. The unfortunate victim was crossing the street on a green light. And I'll tell you, when you cross the street rather than at the crosswalk and without the light in your favor, tragedies happen."

Police haven't released the name of the driver or the name of the victim.

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