Latest news with #Miami-DadeCrimeStoppers
CBS News
25-03-2025
- CBS News
Family of woman killed in Miami hit-and-run pleads for justice
The family of Patricia Valencia, a 47-year-old woman killed in a hit-and-run at a Miami bus stop, is pleading for justice as police search for the driver responsible. Valencia was waiting for the bus Saturday morning when a black Mercedes veered off the road, jumped the curb and struck three people, according to Miami police. She died at the scene. Her sister, Katherine Valencia Caro, fought back tears as she spoke about the loss. "She always lifted me up, always supported me and was so proud, you know? But I just really miss her and I wish I could talk to her and tell her how grateful I am to have had her as a sister." Their mother, Zoraida Valencia, said Patricia was a hardworking woman and a devoted mother of two sons. "Right now, I feel really bad. He should pay for what he did because that's not the right thing to do," she said. Through sobs, she recalled how Patricia was born prematurely and spent two months in the hospital after birth. "She was my first baby… she was a seven-months baby." Valencia's father, Jose Valencia, said the family is devastated. "The problem is we have no words to express how we feel. We are destroyed. We have no tranquility," he said. As police continue their search for the driver, Katherine Valencia Caro struggles to make sense of the tragedy. "Why? Why were you in such a hurry? Was it worth it? You've taken someone's life, you've taken someone's mother, sister, daughter," she said. She prays that Patricia did not suffer in her final moments. "I hope she didn't suffer. When I watch the video and I can see that she was there, I'm just praying to God that she didn't suffer." The crash happened around 9:06 a.m. Saturday at N.W. 17th Ave. and 54th St. Authorities said two people in the Mercedes were also injured, one of whom had to be extricated from the vehicle. Four victims remain hospitalized at the Ryder Trauma Center, including one in critical condition. Miami police have not released a description of the driver, who fled the scene. Anyone with information is urged to contact Miami Police or Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at (305) 471-TIPS. A reward of up to $5,000 is being offered for tips leading to an arrest.
CBS News
24-03-2025
- CBS News
Grieving parents speak out after daughter killed at Miami bus stop
The parents of a 47-year-old woman killed in a hit-and-run at a Miami bus stop are pleading for justice as police search for the driver responsible. Miami police said the driver of a black Mercedes was traveling in the same lane as a white pickup truck when it veered off the road, jumped the curb and struck three people at the bus stop. One of the victims, Patricia Valencia, was killed in the crash. Valencia's mother, Zoraida Valencia, told CBS News Miami that her daughter was simply waiting for the bus when she was struck. "She was a working lady and everything. She had two sons," she said. "Right now, I feel really bad. He should pay for what he did because that's not the right thing to do." Through tears, she shared that Patricia was born premature and tragically, her life ended too soon. "She was my first baby and I was with her two months in the hospital. She was a seven-months baby." Valencia's father, Jose Valencia, expressed the family's devastation. "The problem is we have no words to express how we feel. We are destroyed. We have no tranquility," he said. "She was my daughter. She was my oldest daughter. The guy fled. They are looking for him now. And they have the license plate number." The crash happened around 9:06 a.m. Saturday at N.W. 17th Ave. and 54th St. Authorities said two people in the Mercedes were also injured, one of whom had to be extricated from the vehicle. Four victims remain hospitalized at the Ryder Trauma Center, with one in critical condition. Miami police have not released a description of the driver, who fled the scene. Anyone with information is urged to contact Miami Police or Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at (305) 471-TIPS. A reward of up to $5,000 is being offered for tips leading to an arrest.
CBS News
21-02-2025
- CBS News
Hungarian man accused in Miami-Dade double murders was targeting LGBTQ+ community, police say
The Hungarian man who police said was responsible for two brutal murders in Miami-Dade County is now believed to have been targeting members of the LGBTQ+ community. City of Miami Police Chief Manny Morales and Miami Beach Police Chief Wayne Jones revealed to reporters on Friday more details on how they managed to track down 25-year-old Zsolt Zsolyomi, saying how they believed he had been targeting elderly gay men. "This individual who was out there, preying on members of our community, would have gotten away with these crimes if it wasn't for the diligent work of our investigators and the partnership with these agencies," Morales said. Zsolyomi is facing two counts of second-degree murder from the cases dating back to November and January, in which police said he had befriended both men before strangling them to death. Zsolyomi is currently being held without bond and he has been placed on an immigration hold because authorities said he overstayed his visa. Carlos Villaquiran, the first victim, was a 66-year-old man who was discovered dead in the bathtub of his Miami Beach apartment on Nov. 21, where the medical examiner determined that he died of "homicidal violence to include strangulation." Two months later, 71-year-old Rodolfo Fernandez de Velasco was found dead in his car with both front seatbelts wrapped around his neck after a crash in Little Havana. Jones said if it wasn't for the multi-agency collaboration, Zsolyomi wouldn't have been found and arrested. "Thank goodness we did because there's no doubt in my mind that if he had not been caught, he would have done this again, and again, and again," he said. Authorities are asking anyone who may been victimized by Zsolyomi or who has information related to similar cases to contact Miami Police's Homicide Unit at (305) 603-6350. Those who wish to remain anonymous can contact Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at (305) 471-TIPS (4877) or submit their tips on
