A 20-year-old man was found dead after being involved in an apparent Jet Ski accident late Friday in southwest Miami-Dade.
The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission responded to the scene near Southwest 117th Avenue and Bird Road after reports the man went missing on the water.
His body was recovered following an overnight search.
Friends gathered near the shoreline before sunrise Saturday to mourn his death.
Melanie Saldana, who said she had planned to ride with him this weekend, recalled their last conversation.
“He loved his Jet Ski. He was fixing the speakers for two whole days,” Saldana said. “I literally told him, don’t go today, we can go tomorrow with my sister.”
She said she rushed from the Central Florida area after learning he was missing. When she arrived, she found first responders had already covered his body with a tarp.
“I know we’re Jehovah’s Witnesses, and I know that I’ll see him soon,” Saldana said.
Authorities have not released the man’s identity or details on what led to the accident. The investigation is ongoing.
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