Good Samaritans help catch suspect in deadly hit-and-run

MIAMI - A man who police believe was involved in a fatal hit-and-run accident in Miami is under arrest thanks to Good Samaritans who helped track him down, reports CBS Miami.

Miami police say 49-year-old Nancy Gomez was crossing the street when she was hit by a car driven by 26-year old Robert Vivas. Gomez was rushed to Jackson Memorial Hospital where she was pronounced dead.

According to police, Vivas, who reportedly has a history of driving infractions, sped off after the accident, but several witnesses followed him.

"They chased him, stopped him over by 44th Avenue, just a couple of blocks west, and they actually convinced the driver to come back," said Miami police spokesman Sgt. Freddie Cruz.

"If it wasn't because these persons took it upon themselves to go after the vehicle and stop it, the subject might have kept on driving," said Miami police Sgt. Luis Taborda.

Jorge Gomez told CBS Miami he's still trying to make sense of the way his mother died.

"You're taking another person's life, another person's mother," said Gomez. "Why flee the scene? Why? Just call the cops, call the ambulance to the spot, just don't flee. Maybe if this would have happened to his mom, he would have been in my shoes. How would he have liked it if that was his mom?"

The mother of three is being remembered as a loving and giving person who was dedicated to her children, reports the station.

"She wouldn't eat her plate of food, she'd just give it to us to eat," said Gomez, "She was a good mom. She raised us one her own. Our real father left us."

Along with heartbreak and anger, Gomez's family told CBS Miami they also feel gratitude towards the Good Samaritans who helped make sure Vivas was caught.

"They did the right thing to call an ambulance and don't let that guy flee, I appreciate it," said Gomez. "There are good people in this world."

Vivas was arrested and charged with leaving the scene of an accident involving a death. Police said alcohol was not a factor in the accident.

Records reportedly show Vivas has been arrested in the past for marijuana possession and petty theft.

He's also had 10 infractions on his license between 2007 and 2014, but it had not been suspended.

Vivas is being held on $10,000 bond and the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office said Vivas could be sentenced to up to 15 years behind bars if he's convicted of leaving the scene of the crash with a death, reports the station.