Police: Man struck, killed by driver of SUV

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. (WSVN) -- Police are investigating the death of a 47-year-old man who was struck and killed by a sport utility vehicle.

The incident occurred at about 1:20 a.m. Thursday near 39th Street and Collins Avenue, after the victim, Russell Knudson, left his shift as a waiter at nearby Carrabba's Restaurant. Knudson's friends said they were on their way home at the time of the fatal incident.

Residents in the area heard the crash. "I was sleeping and I heard a bang, and I heard a dragging sound; it woke me up," said witness Walter Carter. "Scraping and dragging. It was loud. And then maybe a few seconds later, I heard another little dragging, scratching [noise]."

"It sounded like bombs exploding: one, two, three, four, like a continuation," said another witness, Jo Waldman. "I was like a bombing, boom, boom, boom, knocking."

Police said the silver Mercedes SUV swerved up onto a sidewalk, smashing into guardrails before taking out a light pole in front of Bistro 39. "When I looked, the light pole was falling; the cars were already smashed," said a security guard.

According to police, there were five passengers riding in the SUV when it hit Knudson from behind, as he was loading his bicycle onto the back of a friend's car. The SUV was reportedly driving at around 60 mph in a 30 mph zone. "There was a body lying on the floor; I called 911 right away," the security guard said.

Witnesses said those who were near Knudson at the time of the accident were frantic and ran into the street. "Yelling, 'Help, help,' like in panic," said Waldman. "People were in panic, running around."

Knudson was pronounced dead on scene.

The driver of the SUV, 20-year-old Joao Paulo Escudero Mauro, remained on scene after the crash and police questioned him. Authorities believe Mauro was drinking at the time of the accident.

Mauro was also found to be in possession of cocaine. According to the arrest affidavit, as authorities were speaking with Mauro, detectives could see a white powdery substance in his nose.

The arrest affidavit also says the 20-year-old driver comes from a wealthy Brazilian family, and police consider him to be a flight risk.

The victim's friends put together a makeshift memorial near the scene of the fatal crash in the hours following Knudson's death.

Thursday afternoon, city crews worked to replace the light pole the driver of the SUV knocked down.

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