Juan Pinilla, a 15-year-old boy, shared his experience with 7News after being involved in a hit-and-run incident near a North Miami Beach shopping plaza. The young cyclist is still in pain and recovering from the crash that occurred on Wednesday afternoon. He mentioned that his legs and ankle are still hurting from the impact of the car hitting him while he was riding his bike on the sidewalk.
Surveillance footage captured the moment on Northeast Sixth Avenue, near 167th Street. Witness Roxana Smilovich described the events leading up to the accident, stating that the driver of the car behind her tried to illegally pass her to enter the plaza. Unfortunately, the driver ended up hitting the young boy on his bike as she attempted to drive into the plaza.
Despite the driver fleeing the scene, North Miami Beach Police were able to apprehend her, and she was later arrested. Smilovich recounted that although the driver did stop briefly to ask if the boy was okay, she appeared more inconvenienced than concerned about his well-being.
Pinilla expressed his current struggles, mentioning that he has trouble sleeping and wakes up with leg pain. He also admitted that he is now fearful of riding his bicycle. His mother, Juliet Lopez, expressed her gratitude towards those who assisted her son during the ordeal.
Although Pinilla sustained injuries and his bike was damaged, he remains grateful for being able to survive the accident. He emphasized his gratitude to God for his survival, ability to walk, and his family. Lopez mentioned that she plans to take her son to the doctor on Friday due to his ongoing pain and discomfort.
In light of this incident, it serves as a reminder of the importance of road safety and being cautious while driving or cycling. Hit-and-run accidents can have serious consequences, and it is crucial for drivers to remain vigilant and responsible on the road. We wish Juan Pinilla a speedy recovery and hope that he can overcome this traumatic experience.
