Car Strikes Family in Sunny Isles Beach; Father Niftar, Mother and 2 Children Injured

Tragedy struck on the evening of Shivah Asar B’Tammuz, as an out-of-control vehicle hit a family walking in Sunny Isles Beach, Florida, killing the father and injuring his wife and two children.

The incident occurred at 8:30 p.m. Sunday, as the Pelleg family was walking on Collins Avenue and 174th Street. The car, whose driver said he simply lost control of his vehicle, struck the family, killing the father, Amir Michael ben Shimon, z”l. He was 33 years old.

The mother suffered internal injuries and is in critical condition; she was taken by ambulance to nearby Aventura Hospital. The two daughters, aged 3 and 7, were airlifted to Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital in Hollywood; they are in stable condition. All three are expected to survive.

The 26-year-old driver said that he simply lost control of his vehicle. He showed no signs of intoxication. Police are investigating whether the driver may have been texting, or under the influence of drugs, sources familiar with the investigation told Hamodia. The driver voluntarily submitted to a drug test, is cooperating with the investigation, and is not in custody at this time.

Chesed Shel Emes was on the scene until 3 a.m. Monday morning, and is currently working with Miami-Dade County’s Medical Examiner’s Office, to ensure kavod hames.

Readers are asked to daven for Zulma Bas Rita, Ariella Bas Zulma and Aviva Bas Zulma l’refuah sheleimah, b’soch she’ar cholei Yisrael.