Cyclist airlifted to hospital after being struck in Northwest Miami-Dade

NORTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, Fla. – A bicyclist is recovering after being struck by a vehicle that left the scene.

According to police, on Sunday, a black SUV made a sharp and violent right turn, striking a cyclist who hit the pavement along Northwest 27th Avenue.

The driver left without ever rendering aid — and the entire thing was caught on camera.

Anthony Johnson, 29, was hit during a ride with the Break the Cycle cycling group.

Johnson’s injuries were so serious that he had to be airlifted to the trauma center at Jackson Memorial Hospital.

“He got hit and he probably went about 30 feet in the air,” said Tanya Johnson, the victim’s mother. “To see him come down, it was devastating.”

Johnson says her son is now at home recovering.

“I’m grateful to everyone out here, these people, they helped my baby,” she said.

Police say the driver of the black GMC is 56-year-old Jean Rene.

An officer later spotted Rene’s black GMC parked at a strip mall along Opa-locka Boulevard just off of 19th Avenue and confronted him.

“When the officers were attempting to take the defendants into custody, he began to fight with the officers and try to run away from the officers as well,” said a judge.

Rene remains behind bars facing multiple charges.

“That’s something that he’s going to have to answer to God about,” said Johnson’s mother.


About the Author

Christian De La Rosa joined Local 10 News in April 2017 after spending time as a reporter and anchor in Atlanta, San Diego, Orlando and Panama City Beach.