Police question person of interest in hit-and-run case

NORTH MIAMI, Fla. (WSVN) -- Police are questioning a person of interest, as they continue to search for the driver who hit an elderly man and left him to die in the street.

Seventy-five-year-old Charles Lafevre was found at the intersection of North Miami Avenue and Northwest 123rd Terrace around 7 p.m. near a bus stop, Monday. It appears he was trying to cross the street, although, police said, there were no witnesses. Police said he was in the area to visit a friend.

Police said Lafevre was pronounced dead at the scene.

Neighbors in the area of the accident expressed their concern about the safety of the street where the accident occurred. "At nighttime it's too dark," said Marcel Mesaurs. "You can't see people crossing the street. It's too dark, we need some more lights, man."

North Miami Police said the driver left behind a hubcap and pieces of shattered glass.

Just hours before this tragic accident, the Florida Highway Patrol held news conferences across the state on the recent spike of hit and runs.

FHP Sergeant Mark Wysocky spoke on why someone would flee the scene. "Their either impaired, they may not have a drivers license, their license may be suspended, they may be here illegally or they may have warrants out for their arrest."

Tuesday afternoon, police said, they were speaking to a person of interest who may have been involved in the incident. "We were contacted by someone," said North Miami Police Maj. Neal Cuevas, "and we were able to locate this person and speak to them."

They also have a vehicle that is being looked at. They have not yet said if the vehicle was actually involved in this accident.

No arrests have been made.

If you have any information on this hit and run, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward.

(Copyright 2013 by Sunbeam Television Corp. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)