A tragic incident unfolded in Pompano Beach, Florida, resulting in the death of a mother of three and leaving a man hospitalized after they were intentionally struck and dragged by a pickup truck. The driver responsible for this heinous act has been located and arrested by authorities.
The Broward Sheriff’s Office and Pompano Beach Fire Rescue units rushed to the scene of the incident at an apartment complex along Southwest Eighth Street, near South Cypress Road, around 9:30 p.m. on Saturday. The victims were identified as Brenda Hernandez Amaya and Omar Munguia-Henrique, who had been struck and dragged by the vehicle in a deliberate attack.
According to investigators, the tragic event stemmed from a dispute between 29-year-old Hernandez Amaya and her ex-partner, 32-year-old Edwin Amaya, over their shared 2-year-old child. The situation escalated when Amaya, in a fit of rage, walked to his Ford F-250 truck, backed it up, and then intentionally drove it into the victims.
Cellphone video footage captured the horrifying moment when the white pickup truck ran over Hernandez Amaya, leading to her untimely death. Witnesses, including Hernandez Amaya’s 10-year-old daughter Brittany Munguia, recounted the chilling details of the deliberate attack.
“He said that he wanted to kill all the people who were there,” Brittany Munguia said, referring to the suspect. The victim’s devastated mother, Marlenia Amaya Vasquez, expressed disbelief and sorrow, pleading for the tragic event to be a nightmare.
“My mom didn’t like problems. She was a really nice person,” Brittany Munguia recalled, highlighting the kind and peaceful nature of her late mother. The young girl bravely recounted the horrific scene she witnessed, where her mother was pinned against another vehicle by the reckless driver.
Deputies reported that Edwin Amaya continued his violent rampage by driving into parked cars while Munguia-Henrique clung onto the vehicle. The surviving victim eventually fell to the ground, sustaining injuries that were fortunately not life-threatening.
Following the reckless act, the suspect abandoned the truck and fled the scene on foot, leaving behind a trail of devastation. Paramedics rushed the victims to Broward Health North, where Hernandez Amaya was tragically pronounced dead, while Munguia-Henrique received medical treatment for his injuries.
In a swift turn of events, deputies located Edwin Amaya along the 700 block of South Dixie Highway, approximately half a mile from the scene of the incident, and promptly placed him under arrest. The arrest brought a sense of closure to the grieving family left shattered by the senseless act of violence.
The loss of Brenda Hernandez Amaya has left a void in the lives of her three children, aged 2, 10, and 12, who now face the daunting reality of life without their beloved mother. Marlenia Amaya Vasquez, overwhelmed with grief, expressed her deep yearning to have her daughter back in her arms.
Loved ones and friends of the victim painted a picture of a hardworking, humble, and devoted mother who cherished her family above all else. The impact of her tragic passing reverberates through the community, leaving behind a legacy of love and resilience.
Edwin Amaya was taken into custody and transported to the Broward County Jail, where he faces a charge of premeditated murder for his role in the intentional hit-and-run incident. The legal proceedings will bring a semblance of justice for the grieving family seeking closure and accountability for the senseless loss.
In the wake of this tragedy, the family of Brenda Hernandez Amaya has set up a GoFundMe page to raise funds for sending her body back to Honduras for burial. The outpouring of support and solidarity from the community serves as a beacon of hope in the midst of darkness, offering comfort and solace to those mourning the loss of a cherished loved one.
As the community grapples with the aftermath of this senseless act of violence, the memory of Brenda Hernandez Amaya will endure as a beacon of love and resilience, inspiring those who knew her to cherish each moment and hold their loved ones close. May justice be served, and may her spirit live on in the hearts of those who loved her dearly.