Authorities are searching for a hit-and-run driver who was caught on camera fatally hitting a man before fleeing the scene in Lauderhill last month.
The incident happened around 10:40 p.m. on June 20 in the 1200 block of Northwest 31st Avenue.
Lauderhill Police officials said the victim, 71-year-old Ira Joe Anderson, was crossing the roadway when he was struck by a 2018 to 2022 black four-door Dodge Ram pickup truck.
Surveillance footage released by police Thursday showed the brutal impact, which tossed Anderson about 100 feet from where he was struck.
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The driver — described as a Black woman with short blonde hair — and a passenger both appear to jump out to check on Anderson.
She then appears to drive away, and the passenger leaves on foot.
The victim’s sister, who asked not to be identified, opened up to NBC 6 Thursday about the tragedy.
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“They didn't give a damn. They just didn't care. They had no feelings,” said his sister. “... I never went to the hospital, because I didn’t want to see him. I still didn’t believe it. But it was true.”
Police said speed was not a factor, and what would have been investigated as a traffic crash is now a criminal traffic homicide.
“It was somewhat dark. It did start to drizzle, so the roadways were also wet," Lauderhill Police Maj. Mike Santiago said. "So if the driver would have just stopped and contacted the police, it may not have gotten to this point.”
"If the driver would have just stopped and contacted police or rendered some sort of aid, we would have been able to work through this," Santiago said. "The driver left the traffic crash involving a death, which makes it a felony, it’s a serious offense now."
Miami criminal defense attorney David Weinstein explained the consequences of leaving the scene of a crash.
“If you leave the scene of an accident, you're committing anywhere from a third to a first-degree felony, depending upon whether someone else is hurt or injured, or the extent of the property damage. As a result of that, you put yourself in a different situation,” said Weinstein.
Police are asking anyone with information to call them at 954-497-4700.
You can remain anonymous by contacting Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS. You may be eligible for a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.
