Witness says red light spared her in Miami as Amazon cargo plane struck vehicles and killed five
By John Perik, Danielle Scruggs
Click here for updates on this story
MIAMI (WPBF) — An Amazon cargo plane overran the runway at Miami International Airport, crossed a main road and struck two vehicles, killing five people and injuring five others, according to the National Transportation Safety Board.
The NTSB confirmed that the five fatalities were individuals in vehicles hit by the plane, not passengers aboard the aircraft.
Victims identified Authorities with the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office have identified the victims as Rolando Aleman Leon, 55; Yoel Rodriguez Narajo, 53; Julio C. Pineda, 75; Carlos Acosta Fajardo, 53; and Javierkys Reyes Quevedo, 47.
Black smoke everywhere
Grace Mercado, a witness to the crash, described the terrifying scene as she and her fiancé were driving near the airport Sunday afternoon.
“The black smoke everywhere, looking at it, it’s crazy, honestly,” Mercado said.
She recounted the moment her fiance noticed the plane.
“He says, ‘Is that a plane crashing?’ I’m like, ‘What?’ I look up, and we just see a plane. It’s up in smoke. There’s black smoke everywhere,” she said.
Mercado filmed the aftermath and said the impact was so intense that her car shook.
“The windows and everything, that’s why we were disoriented and everything, and then he goes, ‘Is that a plane crashing?'” she said.
What led to the crash? NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy shared details about the crash during a press conference.
“You can see on the paved surface tire marks that continue on the grass,” Homendy said.
She explained the plane’s flight path leading up to the crash.
“[It] went from Cincinnati to Miami, Miami to San Juan, and San Juan back to Miami,” Homendy said.
The plane “overran runway three-zero on landing, struck navigational aids and equipment, then impacted a 2012 white Ford Econoline van,” she added.
The NTSB reported that seven people were inside the plane at the time of the crash. The aircraft also struck a Toyota driving along Northwest 67th Avenue.
Terrifying moment Mercado reflected on how close she came to being involved in the crash, crediting a red traffic light for saving her life.
“It’s crazy how things align. If it wasn’t for that delay, because it was a small delay, that could have been us; that could have been me,” she said.
The NTSB says it will release more information as the investigation continues.
Pilots treated and released Two pilots were treated and released, while three others remain hospitalized. One is in critical condition, and another is stable.
Officials remain on the scene to assist with traffic control as the investigation into the incident continues.
Chaplains are present and available to support families impacted by the tragedy.
Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.