A 20-year-old man, under the influence of marijuana, Oxycodone, and codeine in 2024, collided with a cyclist in the bike lane of a northwest Miami-Dade residential street, tragically resulting in the cyclist’s death. The incident occurred on December 26, the day after Christmas, and led to the arrest of Kerley Kevin Felix. Authorities charged Felix with vehicular homicide and DUI manslaughter following the fatal crash.
The arrest report indicates that Felix, a resident of North Miami, was speeding south on Northwest 116th Street near 12th Avenue in the Pinewood area around 7:30 p.m. Driving a 2022 Mercedes-Benz E350, Felix veered into the opposite lane, striking the cyclist and propelling him onto the car’s hood. After the collision, Felix’s car hit a tree, according to deputies. The cyclist, who remains unidentified, was found on the road and was transported by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue medics to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center. He was pronounced dead approximately an hour after the accident.
Investigators from what was then the Miami-Dade Police Department noted a strong smell emanating from the Mercedes, described as consistent with marijuana, despite the car doors being closed. Felix reportedly denied consuming any alcohol or drugs. However, during the police interview, he exhibited signs of impairment, such as slurred speech, delayed responses, and visible confusion. Investigators also observed several green leafy particles, resembling marijuana, on Felix’s black T-shirt and the car’s driver-side floorboard.
Subsequent toxicology tests confirmed that Felix had significant levels of marijuana metabolites, Oxycodone, and codeine at the time of the crash. As of Friday, Felix was held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center with a bond set at $15,000.
The Impact on Community Safety
This tragic incident underscores the vital importance of road safety and the enforcement of DUI laws within Miami-Dade County. Such events highlight the potential dangers of impaired driving and the severe consequences that can arise from substance use behind the wheel. The loss of life serves as a stark reminder of the community’s responsibility to uphold safety standards and adhere to traffic regulations.
For residents, this event may prompt increased awareness of the habits and behaviors that influence road safety, potentially leading to more rigorous personal and communal approaches to prevent impaired driving. It underscores the necessity for continued education on the risks associated with drug use and driving, potentially impacting local policies and law enforcement practices to enhance public safety measures and reduce similar incidents in the future.