Arrest made in Miramar hit-and-run crash from seven months ago, jail records show
FORT LAUDERDALE -- Police have arrested a man in connection with a hit-and-run crash nearly seven months ago in Broward County that led the victim's relatives to plead with the driver to come forward.
Tremaine Maurice Herbert, 31, is facing several charges, including driving with a suspended license, failure to remain at an accident scene involving serious bodily injury, tampering with or fabricating physical evidence, according to jail records.
It was not immediately clear if Herbert had posted bond and been released from jail. Investigators did not immediately disclose how they linked the suspect to the crash.
Police said the accident occurred on March 8 in Miramar as Jahmaar Williams was trying to cross Pembroke Road near the Florida Turnpike with his brother.
The crash left Williams hospitalized for several weeks, family members said at the time.
"Me and my brother were just out having a good time and going home as we were crossing the street he was struck by a car," said his brother Christopher Williams.
Williams is trying to rebuild his life one step at a time.
"It's bittersweet," said Eleska Moore. She is Jahmaar's mom. Today was a tough day. "Actually, when I got the text this morning to be honest, I cried. I cried, because. even though he's arrested, it doesn't change, it doesn't bring my son back to normal the way he was," she said.
Moore is by her son's side as he goes through grueling rehab. She sent a video showing his efforts.
"He's making progress. He's just not talking yet, and he's not walking yet, and he's not standing yet. He's still bed ridden," she said.
Jahmaar has a son who's about to turn 5. This has been especially hard on him.
"My grandson calls. 'Hey? I want to speak to my daddy. Why, my daddy not talking to me?' Those are the things that affect you.Those are the things that hurt your heart," Moore said.
While living with the heartache, Moore relies on her faith and forgiveness
"I forgive him, I forgive him but it's a bittersweet pill to swallow," she said. "Holding on to unforgiveness and bitterness doesn't do nothing but effect my life. And I can't be the best mom for Jahmaar If I'm affected by bitterness or unforgiveness, I refuse to let anybody have that power over me," she said.
We went to Herbert's house. No one wanted to comment. For Moore, while granting forgiveness, she says people should be held accountable.
"Everybody has a choice to do what's right. You hit my son, and you kept going and went home and washed the car off," Moore said.
While life has forever changed for Jahmaar and the whole family, his mom chooses to live with hope.
"My goal is to be the best mom that I can be for my son to get him back to where he used to be, so he can live a full, productive life," she said.
Herbert is charged with driving on a suspended license, leaving the scene of a crash and tampering with evidence. Bond was set at $36,000.
The hit-and-run crash in March was the second time over four months in which a pedestrian was hit and left on that same stretch of road.