Former Cuban revolutionary killed in Miami hit-and-run

Police search for driver of pickup truck that ran over 79-year-old man

MIAMI – A 79-year-old man who was once a political prisoner in Cuba has died after a hit-and-run crash in Miami.

Miami police said Onofre Perez was crossing West Flagler Street about 12:45 p.m. on May 27 when someone driving a red Chevrolet S-10 struck him and ran him over.

Perez was taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital with several broken bones. He later died from his injuries.

Perez, a former Cuban revolutionary, spent nearly three decades as a political prison in Cuba.

His sister said Perez was on disability, had taken a bus that morning and was crossing the street to go to a doctor's appointment.

She said he lived a simple life in Miami with his family, and was often seen gardening outside his home.

"He was a good man, affectionate sweet," Marlene Rapacciolli said. "He would also get angry, we would fight like any other family but with respect."

Police released surveillance video of the hit-and-run, and said Perez was walking in the marked crosswalk when the pickup truck with license plate tag P09-579 hit him.

Perez was rushed to Jackson Memorial Hospital with a broken pelvis, broken ribs and head trauma. He was pronounced dead Saturday afternoon.

Anyone with any information on the incident is asked to call police.

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