2 bicyclists killed in crash on Rickenbacker Causeway in Miami; 1 detained – WSVN 7News | Miami News, Weather, Sports
MIAMI (WSVN) – A man and a woman have been killed after they were struck while riding bicycles on the Rickenbacker Causeway in Miami, leading officers to temporarily shut down all lanes and detain a driver for questioning.
City of Miami Police and Fire Rescue units responded to the scene of the crash near the toll plaza, just before 5 p.m., Sunday.
Video shared on social media by Only in Dade captured the aftermath of the crash.
“That SUV hit them really hard. Broken windshield, two bicycles in pieces,” said witness Ramon Figuero.
The footage captured mangled wheels near a pair of sunglasses, a shoe and a baseball cap belonging to the victims.
Onlookers said they were saddened to hear about the fatal crash.
“This is tragic, let me tell you, the saddest thing I’ve seen in my life,” said a man.
Investigators said the victims were struck and killed on impact as they neared the ramp toward Key Biscayne.
“I drive this road every morning — 5:30 to 6 o’clock, 6:30 in the morning — and you see out here everybody riding their bikes in the morning, and [drivers] got to respect it,” said Figuero. “Everybody respects their lanes, but this, that’s tragedy right there.”
The crashed caused massive traffic delays. Officers shut down all lanes but later opened a northbound lane for drivers heading south.
Drivers were stunned to learn what led to the holdup.
“You see bicyclists every day, and you hope they stay safe, but unfortunately, you also see cars going really fast up and down the bridge,” said witness Gabriel Meneses.
Police detained and questioned the driver of the SUV involved in the crash.
Hours later, 7News cameras captured the SUV on the flatbed of a tow truck. There was damage to the front of the vehicle, and the windshield was shattered.
Meanwhile, passers-by reflected on the impact the crash will have on the victims’ families.
“It’s shocking, it’s unexpected. You hear [about] accidents on Rickenbacker, but nothing like this,” said Meneses.
Officers later reopened all lanes to traffic.
As of late Sunday night, police have not filed any charges, as they continue to investigate.
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