Man on Scooter Struck By Hit-and-Run Driver in West Miami

A man was rushed to the hospital after he was struck by a hit-and-run driver while riding a scooter in West Miami early Wednesday.

The man, Alexander Roda, was on the scooter in the area of Southwest 8th Street and 57th Avenue when he was struck around 12:30 a.m.

Paramedics responded and rushed Roda to Jackson Memorial Hospital where he was in stable condition later Wednesday.

Family members said Roda was struck by a white truck, which fled the scene.

Police later found the driver of the truck, identified as 49-year-old Robert Velazco, who was booked into jail on charges of leaving the scene of a crash involving injury.

Velazco's bond was increased to $15,000 Wednesday after appearing in court. It was unknown whether he has an attorney. Velazco is due back in court Thursday.

Records show Velazco has received multiple traffic infractions, including careless driving, in the past.

Wife Patricia Hernandez, who spoke with NBC 6 in Spanish, said she and the couple's 3-year-old son were riding in a car behind him at the time of the crash. She said the driver left her husband for dead in the road "like an animal."

"He just fled the scene, he didn't even come back or anything," said witness Noemi Hicks.

Police haven't given any details of the incident and haven't confirmed the details from the family.

Check back with NBC 6 South Florida and NBC6.com for updates.

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