MIAMI – A South Florida man was arrested Sunday after he struck a pedestrian with his car and then drove away, authorities said.
According to an arrest report, Jose Esteban Contreras, 24, of Miami, was heading north in the 2600 block of North Miami Avenue when he drove up on the sidewalk and struck the victim with his car.
Police said a witness followed Contreras on his motor scooter, yelled at him to "Get out!" and then pulled him out of the car.
The good Samaritan then flagged down a K-9 unit and told the officer that Contreras had just been involved in a hit-and-run, authorities said.
"If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't have known where the car went -- none of that stuff," another witness, Shawn Alarcon said. "We pull up to the red light and boxed him in, and the guy picks up his skateboard and busts out his window, and then dragged him out the car."
According to the arrest report, the officer searched Contreras' vehicle and found a clear bag of suspected marijuana in the center console and in plain view in the backseat.
Contreras was arrested on charges of leaving the scene of a crash resulting in serious bodily injuries and possession of under 20 grams of cannabis.
Police said the victim, identified as Eric Wendell Hunter, was taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital with serious injuries.