Man arrested in connection with hit-and-run that killed street vendor in Miami-Dade

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Florida — A man was arrested Tuesday, days after a fatal hit-and-run crash in northeast Miami-Dade.

Earl William Taylor, 70, of North Miami Beach, is accused of leaving the scene of a fatal accident.

According to his arrest report, the accident occurred around 5:25 a.m. Sunday in the area of ​​Northeast Sixth Avenue and 149th Street.

Police said the victim, Madette Laurent, 67, was crossing 149th Street when she was struck by a 2012 Jeep Liberty driven by Taylor.

Laurent’s body was thrown into the air and then run over by the Jeep, the report said.

Police said Taylor fled the scene without ever stopping to check on the victim.

Laurent was pronounced dead at the scene at 5:33 a.m

People in the area told Local 10 News that Laurent was a street vendor.

According to the arrest report, Crime Stoppers received an anonymous tip Tuesday that identified Taylor as the driver.

Police said they went to Taylor’s home and found the Jeep outside his home. It had significant damage to the front end and was consistent with the vehicle captured on surveillance video at the scene, authorities said.

According to the report, Taylor gave a “self-serving statement” to investigators, claiming that someone had taken his vehicle the night before and then parked it.

As of Wednesday, Taylor remained at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, where his bond had not yet been set.