A severe hit-and-run incident in Miami-Dade, allegedly involving an undocumented immigrant and leaving an elderly woman critically injured, has led U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to call upon local authorities to "cooperate with us and not release this criminal from jail."
Seventy-four-year-old Geraldine Byrd, described by neighbors as a "kind" and friendly individual, is currently in critical condition and on life support. Authorities have identified Tomas Raymundo Brito, an undocumented immigrant, as the driver who allegedly struck her, as reported by CBS Miami.
Tragic Incident Unfolds in Miami-Dade
According to reports, the incident occurred early Sunday morning outside Byrd's residence. She had exited her vehicle to open her gate when Brito allegedly collided with her car. This initial impact reportedly caused Byrd's vehicle to spin and strike her, after which Brito's truck purportedly hit her a second time, leaving her trapped beneath it.
Residents nearby were alerted to the crash by a loud noise. Kristina Diaz, a neighbor, recounted to NBC 6 South Florida that "we could hear screaming, we could hear everybody yelling, ‘Where is she? Oh, she’s underneath the car. Call 911.’"
Diaz further noted that Byrd "would always send my daughter gifts for her birthday. So, she was a very kind woman." Another neighbor, Flor Ortiz, conveyed in Spanish to CBS Miami that despite a language barrier, she and Byrd "do not speak the same language, but we always greet each other. She is a good person."
Following the collision, Brito reportedly exited his truck and attempted to flee. A relative of Ms. Byrd pursued him and located him concealed in a shed. Upon his apprehension, Brito allegedly confessed to being the driver and stated he had consumed five beers prior to the incident.
Victim's Condition and Suspect's Charges
Ms. Byrd was airlifted to a local hospital, where she remains on life support in critical condition, as confirmed by the Department of Homeland Security.
Brito faces charges of leaving the scene of a crash resulting in serious bodily injury and operating a vehicle without a valid license.
According to DHS, Brito is a Guatemalan national who entered the United States unlawfully at an unspecified time and place.
ICE Calls for Cooperation
An ICE official, identified as Mullin, stated, "He should have never been allowed in our communities or on our streets." Mullin further urged, "ICE is asking officials in Miami-Dade County to cooperate with us and not release this criminal from jail, and to turn him over to ICE custody so we can remove him from our country."
Mullin also commented that "thanks to the strong leadership of President Donald Trump, ICE is unleashed to go after criminal illegal aliens like this one so that we can make America safe again."
A spokesperson indicated that "if ICE does not take custody of the individual within that timeframe, the individual is released as required by law."
The spokesperson confirmed that "Miami-Dade County and the Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation Department comply with all applicable laws regarding immigration detainer requests and do not deny detainer requests submitted by federal authorities."
Local Policies and Broader Context
Miami-Dade County does not operate as a sanctuary jurisdiction, and Florida state law explicitly forbids such policies. Furthermore, the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office is a participant in ICE's 287(g) program, aligning with state regulations.
Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, a Democrat, has previously voiced criticism regarding ICE's "Alligator Alcatraz" detention center, which ceased operations in June. In a statement issued after its closure, Mayor Cava asserted that "people, including some of our own residents," had been "held there without meaningful due process."
She further stated that "immigrants helped build Miami-Dade County, and our community has always believed that public safety, the rule of law, and respect for human dignity can go hand in hand."
