Willie Joseph Pitts Jr. of Miami, Florida was arrested Saturday after he allegedly drove his car into a pedestrian and fled the scene, news sources report. The pedestrian was identified as 45-year-old Philogene Charles, who was taken to a nearby hospital in critical condition following the accident. Pitts, 31, was booked into the Miami-Dade County Jail on charges of driving under the influence, DUI with serious bodily injury, and leaving the scene of a crash with serious bodily injury; it is not known whether he has enlisted the services of a lawyer. It is also unclear whether he has qualified for bail bond.
According to reports, the incident occurred around 4:45 Saturday morning at the intersection of Northwest 12 Avenue and Northwest 134 Street. Pitts was approaching the intersection in his white Honda Accord while Charles was attempting to cross the street. Witnesses watched as Pitts's vehicle struck Charles and drove away from the scene, sources say. It is not clear whether Charles had the right of way at the time.
Paramedics rushed Charles to the Jackson Ryder Trauma Center with critical injuries following the crash. Meanwhile, police gathered information regarding the hit-and-run vehicle and began to track the Honda Accord down. Reports say the officers located the vehicle five blocks away from the scene of the accident. The car was in park and Pitts was asleep in the driver's seat, a police report says. Police say Pitts was intoxicated during the time of the crash, though reports do not appear to have provided a blood test result.
In other news, Marc Madeus of Lake Worth was arrested Wednesday after he allegedly threw a bottle of beer at a police officer, reports say. The defendant also reportedly fought with officers during his arrest. Madeus, 31, was booked into the Palm Beach County Jail on charges of resisting arrest with violence, aggravated assault, and for a violation of having an open beverage. His bail was set at $18,000. It is unclear whether he has hired legal representation.