MIAMI – About a dozen grieving family members of 40-year-old Takesha Hayes are pleading for the driver of the car that hit her and took off to turn themselves in.
"We just want justice for what happened to our loved one," said Hayes' sister, Kendra Broomfield. "Who does that? That is not a person with a heart."
Family members said Hayes was a dedicated mother of two girls and the light of their life before she was killed.
It happened at 2:40 a.m. Feb. 22 at Northwest 54th Street and Northwest Third Avenue. As Hayes was coming back from the store in her wheelchair, she was struck in the street and left to die.
Police found surveillance video of the car they believe hit Hayes and then sped off. It is a 2000 to 2002 black Ford Explorer Sport Trac. Police also recovered a turn signal lens that broke and fell off the SUV.
"I was able to match this evidence that I obtained from the crime scene to the right side of the Ford Explorer Sports Trac," said Detective Dino Thompson, of Miami police.
Family members said they can forgive the person that did this, but they need to come forward.
"We just ask that you show some compassion. Some remorse. Repent to whoever your god is and turn yourself in," said Simone Reese, Hayes' cousin. "If this were your family member you would want justice to be served."
"My sister never had any enemies. She was a very outgoing mom," Broomfield said. "She lived for her kids and the person that did this, I hope you are watching and I just pray that you please find it in your heart please turn yourself in."
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