Investigators Seek Answers After Fatal Hit-and-Run in Southwest Miami-Dade: Legal Options For Family

A grieving family in Southwest Miami-Dade is searching for answers after a 22-year-old man was killed in a hit-and-run crash over the weekend.

According to the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office (MDSO), the tragedy unfolded around 5:00 a.m. Sunday near the intersection of Southwest 216th Street and 187th Avenue.

The victim, identified as Baltazar Nicolas Antonio, had exited his vehicle — a black 2009 BMW — when he was struck by another car. Instead of stopping to help, the driver fled the scene, leaving Antonio fatally injured on the roadway. Authorities confirmed he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Family members shared that Antonio had recently moved from Guatemala to Florida in search of a better life, making his death even more devastating.

On Tuesday, investigators released a photo of Antonio’s car but have not yet identified the make or model of the hit-and-run vehicle. They are urging anyone with information to contact Detective J. Dalton with MDSO’s Traffic Homicide Bureau at 305-471-2400, or provide an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS (8477).

The Legal Reality of Hit-and-Run Crashes in Florida

Sadly, hit-and-run accidents are far too common in Florida, which consistently ranks among the top states in the nation for these incidents. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), more than 100,000 hit-and-run crashes occur in Florida each year, and many result in catastrophic injuries or fatalities.

Under Florida Statutes § 316.062, drivers involved in crashes are legally required to stop, render aid, and exchange information. Leaving the scene of a crash that results in death is a first-degree felony under § 316.027, punishable by up to 30 years in prison.

In cases like Antonio’s, the criminal investigation will focus on locating and prosecuting the at-fault driver. However, the civil justice system also allows the victim’s family to pursue wrongful death claims to seek financial accountability.

When a driver flees the scene, it does not prevent a family from pursuing justice. Instead, families may have several avenues for legal recovery:

• Uninsured Motorist (UM) Coverage – If the victim or their household carried UM insurance, it can provide compensation when the at-fault driver is uninsured or cannot be identified.
• Personal Injury Protection (PIP) – Florida’s no-fault law requires every driver to carry PIP, which may help cover some medical expenses and funeral costs, though it is often insufficient in wrongful death cases.
• Civil Lawsuits – If the at-fault driver is later located, the family may file a wrongful death claim under Florida Statutes §§ 768.16–768.26, seeking damages such as:
  • Funeral and burial costs
  • Loss of companionship, guidance, and emotional support
  • Lost income and financial support the victim would have provided
  • Emotional suffering of surviving family members

In some cases, additional parties may be held responsible. For example:

• If the hit-and-run driver was operating a company-owned vehicle, the employer may face vicarious liability under the doctrine of respondeat superior.
• If the vehicle was negligently entrusted to the driver (e.g., lent to someone with a history of reckless driving), the vehicle owner could also share liability.

Investigations into these scenarios are complex, requiring legal expertise and access to accident reconstruction specialists, surveillance footage, and witness statements.

The sudden loss of a loved one in a hit-and-run is devastating — both emotionally and financially. Beyond the grief, families are left with pressing questions: Who was responsible? Why did they flee? And how can we hold them accountable?

At Flanagan & Bodenheimer Injury & Wrongful Death Law Firm, our attorneys have extensive experience handling complex wrongful death and hit-and-run cases across Florida. We fight to ensure families receive justice and the compensation they deserve while working tirelessly to uncover the truth.

If your loved one was killed in a hit-and-run in Miami-Dade or anywhere in Florida, call us at 305-638-4143 for a free and confidential consultation. We operate on a contingency fee basis — you don’t pay unless we win.