Driver in fatal hit-and-run crash says he is sorry about killing man

Michel Vernet is accused of killing 51-year-old Auguste Friznel

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. ā€“ Miami-Dade County police arrested a 59-year-old man Thursday, who is accused of killing a pedestrian over the weekend in a hit-and-run crash.

Michel Vernet, 59, faces a charge of leaving the scene of a fatal crash. He walked out ofĀ Miami-Dade County's Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center Friday night.

"I feel sorry about that ... that's his fault not me,"Ā Vernet said.Ā "I didn't see him."

Argemis Colome, a spokesman for the Miami-Dade Police Department, saidĀ VernetĀ was driving a white Toyota RAV4Ā around 8:30 p.m. Sunday on Northwest Seventh Avenue near Northwest 103rdĀ Street when he struck 51-year-old Auguste Friznel.

VernetĀ tried to brake for Friznel, who was not in a crosswalk. VernetĀ fled the scene of the crash, Colome said.

"I don't see him. If I see him, I stop," Vernet said.Ā 

FriznelĀ was rushed to Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, where he later died of his injuries.

VernetĀ turned himself into police on Thursday and Judge Mindy Glazer set his bond at $10,000 on Friday.


About the Authors:

Andrew Perez is a South Florida native who joined the Local 10 News team in May 2014.