A tragic incident in southwest Miami-Dade has led to the arrest of Michael Anthony Smith, 33, who faces vehicular homicide charges after a collision that killed 14-year-old Lazaro Martinez.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the incident occurred on November 26 when Martinez attempted to cross Southwest 112th Avenue near 232nd Street in Princeton. He was struck by a black Audi driven by Smith. Despite staying at the scene, the severity of the crash was clear, with the Audi showing significant front-end damage and deployed airbags.
Eyewitness accounts highlighted the Audi’s high speed. A 10-year-old who accompanied Martinez revealed the car was speeding. Data retrieved from the Audi confirmed it was traveling at 81 mph in a zone restricted to 40 mph. Furthermore, the vehicle was accelerating at full capacity, and there was no sign of the brakes being applied before the collision.
Amidst poor lighting conditions in the residential area, the impact was devastating, sending Martinez over 100 feet from where he was initially hit. Tragically, Martinez, an enthusiastic player for the Miami Knights football team, died near his home, leaving a grieving family and community. His young cousin was an unfortunate witness to the incident.
Smith, residing in Cutler Bay, surrendered at the Florida Highway Patrol headquarters and was later arrested. Despite a lack of prior criminal history, the prosecutor sought a $25,000 bond citing the reckless nature of the act. Conversely, Smith’s defense attorney advocated for a $15,000 bond, pointing to his cooperation with law enforcement. Ultimately, the judge determined the bond at $20,000 and temporarily revoked Smith’s driving privileges.
This incident underscores the dire consequences of reckless driving. As the community mourns the loss of a young life, the legal proceedings will continue to unfold, reflecting the gravity of the situation.
Source: Nbcmiami
