Almost one (1) year after David Plazas struck and killed 14 years old Ethan Gordon, he has finally been charged.
On August 22, 2020, Ethan Gordon was crossing Collins Avenue at the 10200 block on his bicycle at around 6 p.m. ,when he was hit by a 2018 silver KIA Optima that was traveling northbound on Collins Avenue. Police said, Ethan was thrown from the bike and landed in the street. Ethan was rushed to a nearby hospital, where unfortunately, he died.
Rather than stopping to render aid, Plazas continued north, made a U-turn, passed by the scene and then drove away. Several witnesses to the crash followed the car and got a tag number, police said. As reported by the Miami Herald, red light cameras and cell phone GPS also helped detectives place Plazas at the scene.
Plazas has a series of open criminal cases in Miami-Dade.
Earlier this month, he was arrested and charged with domestic battery strangulation, and kidnapping, in two separate cases. In May, he was charged with felony possession of a controlled substance.
In all of those cases, he is awaiting trial.
I have said this multiple times, and will say it again. We need stricter penalties for hit and run drivers, and for those drivers with suspended licenses, etc. Driving is a privilege, not a right. Governor Desantis’ veto of the bill requiring drivers carry liability insurance-will not help matters. That bill that passed both chambers with overwhelming bipartisan support should have been signed into law-not vetoed!!
Our heart goes out to Ethan’s family.
Mark Kaire
Mark Kaire has been practicing law in Miami for nearly 30 years. He is dedicated to helping the injured people of Miami receive compensation. Mr. Kaire has been blogging on Miami’s legal issues for many years.