Driver plows into bus stop, 1 dead

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (WSVN) -- A South Florida woman is dead and two other women are in critical condition after a driver crashed into a bus stop.

A total of six people were injured in the crash Tuesday afternoon. Three others who were struck by the car are recovering in the hospital.

The accident happened at around 4:30 p.m. near Northwest 199th Street and Second Avenue. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue arrived on scene quickly with both its air rescue units.

According to Miami Gardens Police, the driver of a white car was traveling at a high rate of speed on 199th Street when he hit a black vehicle. The impact sent the white car careening into a bus stop in front of a CVS. "The guy under the car was screaming get me out from under the car," said Austin Hines.

Hines and his brother, Conrad Hines, said they saw the crash and were able to lift the car onto its passenger side with the help of others. The two teens said adrenaline alone helped them move the car. "We counted until three, then we kind of just lifted this car off of him. All this adrenaline was just running through everybody," said Conrad Hines.

"We hold the car up, then push the car. Then one guy came and pulled the guy out," said David James.

One of the brothers who ran to the rescue described the crash. "Two, he went completely over with his car," Hines said of the driver. "One was still under and one he knocked like a good 20 feet, easily. The two he completely went over, they were in critical condition. The one that was surprisingly under the car was still moving, talking. He could still move his arms. He was still conscious and stuff, and the two that he hit, that flew, they didn't seem very conscious at all."

Among the most seriously hurt, included Delia Tafur, who had to have both her legs amputated and was transported by helicopter to Jackson Memorial Hospital. "We just started to sort through the patients to see what their severity was and take them to the hospital," said Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Captain Eric Baum.

Mary Smith, 83, died at the hospital Tuesday night, while Wendy Vasquez remains in critical condition. Two juveniles were also injured in the crash while another person was treated and released.

The driver of the black car was riding with her three kids when, she said, the driver of the white car appeared out of nowhere. "No, I didn't see him. I don't know how it happened. It just happened. It was sudden. I just pray for the family, and my kids, they're fine," she said.

As of Wednesday morning, three people remain at JMH in critical condition, while two have been released.

The driver was taken into custody but has not been charged. He could face charges once police finish their investigation.  

The driver's sister arrived on scene and offered words of compassion to those whose lives changed in the blink of an eye. "I just want the people to know, the family members, my heart goes out to them," she said.

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