Story developing as of June 23, 2026. Last updated: June 23, 2026, 4:15 PM ET.
A 45-year-old Miami man, Stephen Erik Campos, was arrested Monday after police said he fled the scene of a crash that critically injured a person riding an electric stand-up scooter near Allapattah. According to the City of Miami Police Department, the driver has been charged with leaving the scene of a crash which involved serious bodily injury to the accident victim, which falls under Florida law as a felony. The case is a sharp reminder of how exposed scooter riders are on streets built for cars, and of the rights injured riders and their families keep even when a driver flees the scene. See (Why do drivers flee after an accident?)
What Police Say Happened
Investigators say Campos was driving a 2018 Lexus RX 350 northbound on NW 37th Avenue when he failed to stop at a red light. Police said the SUV collided with a scooter rider traveling eastbound on NW 36th Street. The force of the impact, according to investigators, threw the rider into the vehicle’s windshield and driver’s-side door before the victim came to rest in the intersection.
Police said Campos kept driving without stopping to render aid. Miami Fire Rescue transported the injured rider to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center, where the victim was treated for facial fractures and a brain contusion and listed in critical condition.
Campos later returned to the area after speaking with his wife, police said. According to officers, he told them he believed someone had thrown a rock at his windshield and did not realize he had struck a person. He was arrested without incident and taken to the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. A judge found probable cause and set bond at $5,000.
Campos is accused — not convicted. The allegations above are drawn from statements by Miami police, and he is entitled to the presumption of innocence as the criminal case proceeds.
Leaving the Scene of a Crash Is a Felony in Florida
Florida law does not treat fleeing a serious crash as a minor lapse. Under Florida Statutes § 316.027, a driver involved in a crash that results in injury — and especially serious bodily injury — has a legal duty to stop at the scene, remain there, and render reasonable aid. Leaving the scene of a crash involving serious bodily injury is charged as a felony. SEE (Who pays for my damages and losses after a hit & run accident?)
The duty to stop applies regardless of who caused the crash. Even a driver who believes the collision was not their fault is required to stop, identify themselves, and help an injured person get medical care. The law exists precisely because the minutes after a serious crash are often the difference between recovery and tragedy.
Scooter and Micromobility Riders Have the Same Right to Recover
Miami is one of the most scooter cluttered cities in the country, with riders sharing busy intersections alongside heavy traffic every day. When a scooter rider on an electric stand-up scooter is hit by a car, that rider generally has the same right to pursue a personal injury claim as anyone struck while walking, cycling, or driver.
Running a red light can be a strong indicator of liability. Florida drivers are required to obey traffic-control signals and to yield to people lawfully in an intersection. When police say a motorist disregarded a red light and struck a vulnerable road user, that allegation goes directly to the question of who is legally responsible for the resulting harm.
Serious injuries like facial fractures and a brain contusion can mean surgeries, long rehabilitation, lost income, and lasting effects on a person’s ability to work and live normally. The civil justice system exists to address those losses, separate from, and in addition to, any criminal case the state pursues. A scooter accident lawyer in Miami can help raise awareness on safety measures to prevent accidents as well as share legal advice on what to do after a scooter accident.
What to Do When the At-Fault Driver Flees
A hit-and-run can feel like a dead end, especially in the chaotic moments right after a crash. It is not. Recovery paths often remain open even before — or even if — the fleeing driver is identified.
- Call police and get a report. An official crash report documents the time, location, and circumstances and starts the investigation. In this case, police identified and arrested a suspect; in others, the report is the foundation that helps locate a driver later.
- Get medical care immediately and keep the records. Prompt treatment protects your health first, and the medical documentation becomes critical evidence connecting the crash to your injuries.
- Preserve evidence. Photos of the scene, the scooter, visible injuries, skid marks, traffic signals, and any nearby surveillance or doorbell cameras can all matter. Witness names and phone numbers are valuable.
- Check your own insurance for uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. This is one of the most important and overlooked points. When a driver flees and cannot be found, or turns out to be uninsured or underinsured, your own UM/UIM coverage may provide a path to compensation. A hit-and-run is frequently treated as an uninsured-motorist situation for these purposes.
- Be careful about giving recorded statements to any insurer before you understand your rights.
Even when an arrest is made, as in this case, the criminal charge does not automatically compensate the injured person for medical bills, lost wages, or pain and suffering. Those are addressed through a separate civil claim. SEE: (What is an insurance claim for compensation?)
Why This Matters for Miami
Allapattah and the surrounding corridors see heavy traffic flowing alongside an increasing number of scooter and micromobility riders. Cases like this underscore a hard reality: when a multi-thousand-pound SUV meets a stand-up scooter, the rider has almost no protection. As Miami’s streets get busier and its mobility options more varied, understanding rider rights, and the duty every driver owes after a crash, has never been more relevant for local families.
Talk to a Miami Hit-and-Run Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one was injured by a driver who left the scene, you do not have to sort out the police report, the insurance questions, and the UM/UIM coverage on your own. The Perazzo Law Firm personal injury accident lawyer offers free consultations to injured people and their families in Miami and across South Florida. You can ask your questions, understand your options, and decide what is right for you with no obligation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is leaving the scene of a crash a felony in Florida?
Leaving the scene of a crash that causes serious bodily injury is charged as a felony under Florida law (Fla. Stat. § 316.027). Drivers have a legal duty to stop, remain at the scene, and render reasonable aid regardless of who caused the crash.
Can a scooter rider hit by a car file an injury claim?
Generally, yes. A person riding an electric scooter who is struck by a motor vehicle typically has the same right to pursue a personal injury claim as a pedestrian or cyclist. Evidence that the driver ran a red light or otherwise violated traffic laws can be a strong indicator of liability.
What if the driver who hit me drove off and was never found?
You may still have a recovery path. Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage on your own auto policy often applies to hit-and-run crashes. A police report, prompt medical treatment, and preserved evidence all strengthen a potential claim.
Should I talk to a car accident lawyer in Miami even though police already arrested someone?
A criminal charge against the driver does not pay for your medical bills, lost income, or other losses — those are handled through a separate civil claim. A consultation can help you understand your rights and options. The Perazzo Law Firm offers free consultations.
This article is provided for general informational purposes and is attorney advertising. It does not constitute legal advice, does not create an attorney-client relationship, and is not a guarantee of any outcome. The individuals described are not clients of The Perazzo Law Firm. Allegations are based on police statements; a person charged with a crime is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Past results do not guarantee similar outcomes.