Latravia Chantae Reed of Doral, Florida was arrested in connection to a fatal hit-and-run crash that killed a Miami Beach tourist over the Memorial Day weekend. The tourist was identified as Steven Beech, 38, of California.
Reed, 33, is charged with first-degree murder, leaving the scene of a crash involving death, credit card fraud involving more than $100, and strong arm robbery. She is being held without bond at the Turner Guilford Knight correctional center. The press did not name an attorney for her.
“After days of extensive investigative work, MBPD has arrested the person responsible for the death of Steven Beech,” Ernesto Rodriguez of the Miami Beach Police Department told the press.
According to the arrest report, the alleged fatal hit-and-run occurred on May 26 at 20 Street and Liberty Avenue. Reed reportedly met Beech at the Free Spirits Bar on 21 Street and left with him to buy narcotics at 14 Street and Washington Avenue.
They reportedly went to an ATM where Beech withdrew $300 using his ATM card, but they weren’t able to buy drugs. Reed drove Beech to the Riviera Hotel on 318-20th Street in her Blue Hyundai Veloster. It is unclear why they went to the hotel, but Reed pulled up near the valet stand. Beech exited the vehicle and then Reed tried to drive away without him.
“Mr. Beech exits the vehicle and while the passenger door is open, and Ms. Reed is in the vehicle, Ms. Reed states she had his money and credit cards and decided to leave,” court documents said. “Ms. Reed proceeds east when Mr. Beech attempts to prevent her from leaving by stepping out onto the street.”
Reed stopped the vehicle “momentarily” as Beech placed his hands on the hood, but then sped away with Beech on top of the vehicle.
“Ms. Reed again accelerates in an effort to leave and Mr. Beech is now mounted on top of the vehicle as it goes off the view of the camera,” court documents explained. “It should be noted witnesses expressed hearing a loud ‘thump’ and then seeing the vehicle drive away from the body.”
Police were called to the scene and Beech was taken to a hospital with a severe head injury. He died two days later.
After her arrest, Reed purportedly told police that her plan was to drive away with Beech’s money and credit cards. She said she didn’t recall hitting him, even though surveillance footage from outside the hotel showed her driving away with Beech on the hood of her vehicle.
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Source: 5.31.18 doral_woman_charged_in_hit_and_run_death_of_tourist.pdf