Arrest made in fatal Dania Beach hit-and-run crash

Zachary Benjamins accused of fleeing crash that killed Apollo Brown Jr., injured Kelv-Ron Florence

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – An arrest has been made in a hit-and-run crash that killed an 8-year-old boy and injured his older brother.

Zachary Benjamins, 22, was arrested Monday, Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel said during a news conference Tuesday morning.

The arrest comes just days after Apollo Brown Jr. died. His brother, Kelv-Ron Florence, 14, remains at Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood.

They were struck by a Toyota Tacoma on Bryan Road in Dania Beach earlier this month while walking home from a basketball game.

According to a Broward Sheriff's Office arrest report, Atlantic Coast Collision owner Nick Peppi alerted deputies that he was making repairs to Benjamins' damaged Toyota Tacoma.

"He reported the vehicle as being in some type of accident and the vehicle was there to be fixed," Israel said.

Benjamins is facing charges of evidence tampering and leaving the scene of an accident that resulted in death.

His girlfriend was also arrested Tuesday. Deputies said Anaee Barbeito was a passenger in the truck at the time of the crash.

Benjamins was being held on $350,000 bond.

Mother of boys: 'Justice has been served'

"I finally got justice and justice has been served," Selena Brown told Local 10 News after learning that a suspect in her children's hit-and-run crash had been arrested.

Brown was thankful to those who helped lead deputies to Benjamins.

"Whoever turned him, I really thank you," Brown said. "You don't know how grateful I am."

Brown, who learned of the arrest while celebrating her birthday, said it was the best present she could receive. She is now focusing on helping her surviving son recover.

"Even though I lost my child, I still have one I'm holding onto," she said.
Brown had a message for Benjamins.

"I just want to know from a mother to you, how could you just do this?" Brown said. "How could you leave me and my family broken like this?"

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