1 dead after driver tries to escape police

SOUTHWEST RANCHES, Fla. (WSVN) -- A South Florida cyclist rode into the path of danger, Saturday. He was hit and killed by a driver who witnesses said was speeding away from police.

Drivers panicked when a car sped down the wrong side of the road and didn't slow down. "I thought I was in a movie to be honest," said Julian Cantillo. "I was like, 'Holy crap, this guy is coming straight at us. Is he gonna stop?' You know, but he didn't. We got lucky."

Almost 20 blocks at Griffin Road in Southwest Ranches were left a crime scene. "He was heading eastbound in the westbound lane," said Keyla Concepcion. "Apparently he was escaping from whatever situation he had in Davie."

In Davie, the suspect crashed into a bicycle and four cars. "The whole side of our car, air bags came out," said Cantillo, "and I guess he continued on and hit maybe another car and after it impacted us I think he slowed down more and he hit a red SUV."

The bicyclist was killed after the driver the driver of a red Toyota swerved and hit him. "He tried to go around a vehicle," said Concepcion, "and when he went back in front of the vehicle, he ended up going into the bike path and struck an adult male that was riding a bicycle in the bike path."

Witnesses said they saw police chasing the suspect. The police was chasing a car very fast," said Ramon Rivera. "As soon as they went by I heard a crash."

The driver allegedly ran into two cars in Davie at 11 a.m. on Saturday morning before the string of accidents, police said they tried to stop him but it was too late. "The suspect was well ahead of the officer," said Captain Dale Engle. "The officers began to shut everything down and the suspect continued eastbound on Griffin Road where he struck an individual on a bicycle."

The male bicyclist is the only person who passed away in the incident. Other small injuries occurred, including to the suspect. Broward Sheriff's Office and Davie Police are both still investigating.

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