MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. — A Florida family is pleading for answers after a nighttime hit-and-run left a 10-year-old girl dead and her brother critically injured, with authorities searching for the driver who struck the children as they rode their bicycles.
The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office said deputies were called to the intersection of Northwest 117th Street and Northwest 7th Avenue at around 8:40 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9, after receiving reports of a hit-and-run crash.
Investigators believe an unknown driver was making a left turn onto Northwest 117th Street when the vehicle struck the two children.
First responders found the siblings lying in the roadway. Both were transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center in critical condition.
The girl, identified by her family as Peyton, later died from the injuries she suffered in the crash.
Family Remembers 10-Year-Old Peyton
For Peyton’s family, the loss has left an enormous void.
Speaking with local news outlets, relatives remembered the 10-year-old as a loving child who was full of energy and deeply connected to her brother. Their aunt, Patrice, said the siblings were inseparable.
“They always were together. Always were together,” Patrice said.
She described Peyton as a cheerleader who was full of life and loved by the people around her.
“[Peyton] was a cheerleader, full of life. Everybody loved her,” she added. The family is now left grieving while also waiting for the driver responsible to come forward.
Patrice said Peyton’s brother, Brent, survived the crash but remains on the road to recovery. According to his aunt, Brent underwent emergency surgery following the collision.
Memorial Appears at Crash Scene
By Friday, Sept. 11, signs of the community’s grief had appeared near the intersection where the siblings were struck.
A memorial of candles, balloons and other tributes was placed near the crash site, marking the location where the siblings’ lives changed forever.
Meanwhile, investigators are working to identify the vehicle and driver involved.
Police have shared a photo of the vehicle they believe may have been involved in the collision. Authorities describe it as a 2009–2012 Nissan Versa, with the vehicle believed to be silver or gray.
The release of the vehicle description could be critical as investigators work to determine who was behind the wheel.
Police Ask Witnesses to Check Their Cameras
Authorities are asking anyone who witnessed the crash or may have captured something on a security camera to contact investigators.
An MDSO spokesperson specifically urged local businesses with surveillance cameras to review their footage from the night of the crash.
“I can only imagine how the parents feel in this situation,” the spokesperson told Local 10 News. “So we urge the community, please, if you’re a business owner in this area and you happen to have cameras, please review your cameras.”
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The spokesperson also asked anyone who happened to witness what occurred to come forward. For Peyton’s family, the request is deeply personal.
“I just hope somebody comes forward,” Patrice said. “Have a heart, please. Because this could have been anybody’s kids.”
Driver Still Sought in Deadly Crash
Authorities have not announced an arrest or identified the driver believed to have struck the siblings.
As investigators continue searching for answers, the family is left mourning Peyton while hoping Brent can recover from his serious injuries.
The investigation remains ongoing, and the driver’s actions immediately before and after the collision are central to the search for answers.
Anyone with information about the crash is urged to contact Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers anonymously at 305-471-TIPS (8477).
If you witnessed the crash, saw a vehicle matching the description, or have relevant surveillance footage, your information could help investigators identify the person responsible.
What do you think should happen next in this case? Share your thoughts in the comments and help spread the word so the family can get the answers they are seeking.