Driver sought in fatal rollover crash in Coral Springs

Witnesses say they saw teenagers running from scene after crash

Charlie Ruiz, 39, died Sept. 25 after he was struck by a hit-and-run driver in Coral Springs, police say.

CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. ā€“ Coral Springs police are searching for a driver who crashed into another vehicle Sunday and then fled the scene.

The crash was reported about 1:20 a.m. in the area of West Sample Road and State Road 7/441.

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Detectives said a dark gray 2011 BMW 535i was speeding on the exit ramp of SR 7/441 when it failed to negotiate the curve, drove across a raised median and crashed into a white 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander.

Police said the impact caused both vehicles to overturn.

The driver of the Outlander, Charlie Ruiz, 39, of Coral Springs, was taken to Broward Health North, where he was pronounced dead shortly after arriving.

Police said Ruiz, who was the father of a teenage daughter, was on his way home from work.

Witnesses told detectives that they saw the other driver, a male of about 18, running away after the crash. They said at least one teenage passenger and possibly others also ran away after crawling out of the overturned BMW.

Police said the BMW is believed to have been taken during a house party in the area of 4100 NW 58th St. in Coconut Creek.

Anyone with information is asked to call Coral Springs Traffic homicide investigator Richard Schaut 954-346-1755 or Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS.


About the Author:

Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com.