A man who was left paralyzed in a hit-and-run crash that occurred on December 16, when the alleged victim was bicycling through Fort Lauderdale.
The accused driver reportedly struck the victim. The victim then flew up onto the car and got stuck on the trunk.
It is alleged that the accused drove with the victim on his trunk for a length of time before stopping and disposing of the body by hiding it behind a Dumpster.
The alleged victim was discovered still alive and was taken to the hospital.
The accused was arrested by the Broward Sheriff’s Office and charged with leaving the scene of an accident causing serious bodily injury, tampering with evidence, and attempted second-degree murder (according to Broward Clerk of Courts website).
The alleged victim had been in the hospital since the incident when he died on February 22, 2014.
However, during the last few days of the alleged victims life, it is reported that he suffered from cardiac arrest.
This cardiac arrest could be a superseding cause of death unrelated to the injuries sustained in the crash.
Police and prosecutors are looking at whether they can charge the defendant with the victim’s death.
Prosecutors would have to be able to prove an absolute link between the defendant’s crime and the victim’s death. If an unrelated intervening cause resulted in the victim’s death, such as a heart attack, then the defendant cannot be held responsible.
Eric Matheny is a criminal defense attorney assisting clients with hit-and-run cases in Miami-Dade and Broward.