Man accused of killing hotel employee during Coral Gables carjacking

Cuban father dies trying to stop suspect from taking van

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – A man accused of stealing a van and killing a hotel employee in Coral Gables remains in jail without bond.

Edward Reid was arrested Saturday on charges of first-degree murder, carjacking, kidnapping and leaving the scene of a crash involving injury.

Police said Reid, 40, carjacked a transport van outside a Coral Gables hotel and ran over the employee who tried to stop him.

Several guests staying at the Courtyard by Marriott witnessed the crime.

"He was either run over by the van or slammed against something," a witness told Local 10 News.

Police identified the hotel employee as Eladio Rodriguez, a 62-year-old father who moved from Cuba to Miami about two years ago. He was taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital's Ryder Trauma Center, where he was pronounced dead.

Miami police later found the stolen van after a crash on the corner of West Flagler Street and Northwest Eighth Avenue in Little Havana. The crash left one person injured.

Reid has a history of carjacking, battery and domestic violence.


About the Authors:

The Emmy Award-winning journalist joined the Local 10 News team in 2013. She wrote for the Miami Herald for more than 9 years and won a Green Eyeshade Award.

Liane Morejon is an Emmy-winning reporter who joined the Local 10 News family in January 2010. Born and raised in Coral Gables, Liane has a unique perspective on covering news in her own backyard.