MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — A man was released from jail Wednesday morning, a day after police said he struck an 11-year-old boy with his car in Miami Gardens while trying to bypass traffic.
According to Miami Gardens police, the crash was reported at 7:53 a.m. Tuesday in the 1200 block of Northwest 188th Street.
An arrest report states that Jalen Darius Forbes, 23, of Miami Gardens, was driving south on Northwest 12th Street, trying to avoid traffic in a school zone when he drove onto the right of way, lost control of his Ford Fusion and struck the victim.
The victim was identified as 11-year-old Johnny Baptiste Jr.
“I’m looking at him all banged up and he’s supposed to be home with me,” Shakera Rolle, the boy’s mother, said. “When I first heard he was hit by a car, I instantly thought the worst.”
Rose Emine, whose fence Forbes’ allegedly crashed into with his car, told Local 10 News that the boy was unresponsive after being struck by the vehicle.
“I said, ‘Ahh’ because I thought the boy has died,” Emine said.
“They was just throwing water on his head. Big gash on his head,” another witness, Orlando Lawrence, said.
Police said Miami-Dade Fire Rescue personnel airlifted the victim to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center with serious but stable head injuries.
Forbes, meanwhile, was arrested on charges of reckless driving and reckless driving causing serious bodily injury.
“I just wish he was a little more careful or paid more attention to the road where he was riding,” Rolle said.
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