Man killed in crash in southwest Miami-Dade by possible drunken driver

Driver taken into custody at scene

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – Miami-Dade police are investigating a crash that killed a man early Monday in southwest Miami-Dade.

Sky 10 was above Southwest 137th Avenue at 8 a.m. as one of the damaged vehicles was stopped at 11th Street and the other was at Ninth Terrace.

Police said the driver of a 2016 Toyota, Giancarlo Acosta, 20, was heading south on Southwest 137th Avenue and made a left turn onto Southwest 11th Street.

Police said a Hyundai Sonata was heading north on 137th Avenue and crashed into the Toyota.

The Hyundai rolled onto its roof, and a backpack and books were left on the sidewalk. 

People who live nearby told Local 10 News reporter Liane Morejon that they heard the Toyota crash into a concrete wall.

"I was about to go to sleep," Christopher Nogueira said. "I was watching a show and I heard a boom. I thought it was lightning. I thought, OK, that was really loud. I thought the fence had fallen down. My dad went to check it out and then I saw the car." 

Adrian Saenz

Acosta was killed in the crash. His passenger, Adrian Saenz, 20, was taken to Kendall Regional Medical Center.

"It was a close call and I could've lost my little brother," Saenz's brother, Marlon Saenz, said. "Word of mouth is one thing, and coming to see the street marks and all that, you get a better idea of what happened." 

Police said the driver of the Hyundai, identified as Christopher Benedetti, 30, was taken into custody on suspicion of DUI and was later released. 

They said a blood sample was taken and an arrest is possible following the results. 

Miami-Dade police Detective Alvaro Zabaleta said northbound and southbound lanes were closed on Southwest 137th Avenue, between Southwest Eighth and 12th streets as authorities worked to clear the scene.

All roads have since reopened. 

 


About the Authors:

Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com.

Liane Morejon is an Emmy-winning reporter who joined the Local 10 News family in January 2010. Born and raised in Coral Gables, Liane has a unique perspective on covering news in her own backyard.