Man Arrested in Miami Hit-and-Run Crashes That Left Woman Dead

A 24-year-old man has been arrested following a series of hit-and-run crashes in Miami that resulted in the death of a woman, police said.

Oscar Andres Portillo Lopez was taken into custody Friday on charges including vehicular homicide in a reckless manner and leaving the scene of a crash causing serious bodily injury, according to police records.

Details of the Crashes

The first crash occurred just before 11 p.m. Thursday at Northwest 12th Avenue and Northwest 20th Street. Police reports indicate that a Honda Accord, allegedly driven by Portillo Lopez, rear-ended a Chevrolet Colorado.

The Colorado driver reported that the Accord was swerving at high speeds before striking her vehicle.
The Accord reversed and hit the vehicle a second time while fleeing. She said she saw Portillo Lopez look toward her and smile sarcastically as he drove away.

The Accord reportedly ran multiple red lights while fleeing, eventually crashing into a Jeep Compass at the same intersection. The Compass struck a traffic pole, spun, and came to rest. The Accord then continued and hit a traffic sign and a wall.

Victim and Witness Accounts

The passenger of the Colorado ran to help the Compass driver and witnessed Portillo Lopez exit the Accord, shouting in Spanish and laughing.
Emergency responders pronounced the Compass driver dead at the scene. She was later identified as 35-year-old Cinthia Liliana Sierra Linares.

Arrest and Investigation

Officers noted the odor of alcohol and slurred speech from Portillo Lopez at the scene.
He was hospitalized, released, and subsequently booked into jail.
Blood samples were taken, and results are pending.

Authorities also reported that Portillo Lopez had an expired temporary driving permit as of July and that he has an immigration hold.

This case is under ongoing investigation as police continue to review the circumstances surrounding the fatal crash.