A tragic hit-and-run incident claimed the life of an Uber Eats delivery driver in Hialeah, located in Miami-Dade County, on Thursday. The driver, identified as 37-year-old Kenneth Wimbley Jr., was riding his bicycle to deliver an order when he was struck by a dark-colored vehicle at the intersection of Southeast Fourth Avenue and East Okeechobee Road around 4:11 a.m.
According to Hialeah Police, Wimbley was crossing Okeechobee Road heading north from Miami Springs when the collision occurred. The driver of the vehicle fled the scene, leaving Wimbley severely injured.
Emergency services rushed him to Jackson Memorial Hospital in critical condition, but unfortunately, he succumbed to his injuries shortly after.
Security Footage Captures Incident
Surveillance cameras in the vicinity recorded the moment of impact. As reported by authorities and WSVN, Wimbley's body lay on the pavement for several minutes before a passerby stopped to provide assistance.
Family Demands Justice
Kenneth Wimbley Sr., visibly distraught, spoke to the media, expressing his grief. "My son was doing Uber Eats, riding a bicycle. The collision was so severe it knocked him off, and the driver who hit him left without a second thought," he told Univision.
The father's greatest pain comes from knowing the driver abandoned his son without offering help. "You left my son like a piece of dirt, a log, a piece of meat on the road, and he didn't deserve that," he lamented to CBS Miami. His demand was clear: "I just want justice. All I want is justice."
Wimbley's mother also shared her outrage on social media, questioning how someone could leave a human being on the side of the road without remorse.
Suspect Surrenders
Several hours after the accident, 21-year-old Leonel Alejandro Laferte voluntarily approached Hialeah Police headquarters to speak with traffic detectives. After a lengthy interrogation, he was arrested by traffic homicide detectives.
No media outlet has specified Laferte's nationality. "An individual came to the station wanting to speak with a detective, stating he was involved in an accident that morning and did not remain at the scene," explained Lt. Eddie Rodríguez, a spokesperson for Hialeah Police, as reported by Univision.
Laferte's dark-colored vehicle exhibited visible front-end damage and was missing the passenger side mirror, confirmed by Local 10. He faces charges of leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death and driving with a suspended license.
Lt. Rodríguez warned, as per NBC 6, that fleeing the scene could also lead to vehicular homicide charges.
Legal Consequences
In Florida, leaving the scene of a fatal accident constitutes a first-degree felony. State law mandates a minimum sentence of four years in prison, with the possibility of up to 30 years, fines up to $10,000, and a minimum three-year driver's license revocation.
This case adds to a concerning pattern in South Florida, where Miami-Dade recorded over 19,000 hit-and-run incidents in 2024, resulting in 32 fatalities.
Bicycle accidents in the county surged by 32% between 2020 and 2024, placing Miami-Dade fourth nationwide in cyclist deaths per capita.
The investigation remains active, and Hialeah Police have stated they will withhold further information as the case proceeds to the prosecutor's office.
FAQs about Hit-and-Run Accidents in Florida
What are the penalties for a hit-and-run resulting in death in Florida?
In Florida, leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death is a first-degree felony, carrying a minimum prison sentence of four years, up to 30 years, fines up to $10,000, and a minimum three-year revocation of the driver's license.
How common are hit-and-run accidents in Miami-Dade?
Hit-and-run incidents are quite prevalent in Miami-Dade, with over 19,000 cases reported in 2024 alone, resulting in 32 deaths. This indicates a significant issue in the area.