A hit-and-run driver fatally struck a pedestrian and the man's body lay outside for hours before a resident grabbing the morning newspaper discovered him, the Miami Gardens Police Department said.
Investigators said the resident heard a "loud boom" at about 3:30 a.m. Saturday in the area of Northwest 38th Court and Northwest 158th Street.
The resident went outside at about 6 a.m. to retrieve the newspaper, saw the body and called authorities.
The victim was identified as 34-year-old Akeem Jamal Cromer.
"He didn't deserve this," his mother, Pamela Henry, told NBC 6. "I just saw him last night at my house. He came down and we sat and we talked."
He was a hard-working family man who was on his way to his job, she said.
Henry said he called her at about 3:30 a.m. because he needed a ride to work because his girlfriend's car broke down. He was struck by a vehicle as he walked to get help, according to police.
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Another resident told NBC 6 he recognized the man because they often ride the same bus, adding he was likely going to work.
"It's a disgrace. A man's trying to go to work, trying to feed his family and you just run somebody over like that, and you don't have any type of remorse," Cedrick McHenry said.
McHenry said he noticed the man's belongings strewn far from his body throughout the street, suggesting he was struck at a high rate of speed.
Anyone with information is urged to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-8477. A GoFundMe has been set up for the family.
