A bus stop in Miami Gardens near 199th Street and U.S. 441 was a very dangerous place to be last month. News sources reveal that a white Nissan driving out of control rear ended another vehicle and then lost control and drove straight into a crowd of people waiting at a bus stop. Among the people waiting at the bus stop was 83 year old Mary Smith. Mary Smith died after the crash. This is another tragic Miami Wrongful Death that could and should have been avoided. Multiple other people had to be taken to the hospital due to the injuries sustained in the crash. The driver of the white Nissan is reported to have been Mark Derefaka who will likely face several criminal and traffic charges including vehicular homocide and driving without a valid drivers license.

With all of the tragedy involved in this car accident, one heart-warming story did come to life. Miami teen, Eric Quinn, was trapped underneath the Nissan. Eric was very badly injured – having suffered a fractured femur, crushed pelvis and a burned hand. He was very close to giving up believing that he would die underneath the car that slammed into the bus stop. However, he fought to stay alert and hoped to be rescued. Just then, several local people saw he was stuck under the Nissan and liften the car off of him and getting Eric to safety. These heroes likely avoided Eric from becoming the second Miami Wrongful Death Victim in this collision. Eric’s trauma surgeon said that the action of these good samaritans likely saved Eric’s life. Yesterday, Eric had the blessing of being able to thank the people that saved his life in person from his hospital bed in Broward County. Eric is working hard so he will be able to walk again and take advantage of his gift of life.

Miami Personal Injury Attorney Jeffrey S. Altman of The Altman Law Firm has delt with many serious accident over the years. Even though this story is a tragedy with many injured victims and one death, it is heart warming that strangers were able to come together and save the life of a child that could easily have become the second person to die in this incident. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families.