A Miami woman has turned herself over to police in relation to a tragic hit-and-run incident that has left a University of Ottawa researcher in critical condition.
Olivia Bennett, 26, of Florida is now facing two felony charges in relation to the incident. Bennett does not have a valid Florida driver’s licence, according to police. She has also been unable to provide proof that she has a driver’s licence from any other state.
According to Miami-Dade police, Ottawa’s Alexander Sanghwan was walking on the edge of the road at NE Fifth Avenue and NE 180th Street around 5:30 a.m. Sunday when he was struck by a navy blue BMW 335i.
The driver fled without helping Sanghwan, who was taken to the Jackson Memorial Hospital Trauma Center. Police said Sanghwan’s family came from Ottawa to be by his side.
Miami-Dade police on Monday charged Olivia Bennett, 26, with two felony counts related to reckless driving while leaving the scene of a crash with bodily injury.
Reports in Miami said Sanghwan was in Miami-Dade for the Ultra Music Festival. Police said he and his friends had just left a club and were looking for a cab when Sanghwan was struck.
According to police, several witnesses were present during the incident. Many had to jump out of the way of the out of control vehicle in order to avoid being hit themselves.
The vehicle was extensively damaged in the crash. Police recovered fragments from the scene that they matched to a blue BMW found in a strip club parking lot on 183rd Street in Miami on Sunday night.
The woman’s lawyer contacted police Monday to communicate that his client would be turning herself in.
