IU Student and Graduate Killed in Miami Beach Crash, Suspect Arrested

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An Indiana University student and an IU graduate were killed in a car crash in Miami Beach, Florida on Wednesday night. The victims, Sarisa Kongduang and Greatgomon Laowatdhanasapya, were crossing the street when they were struck by a 2013 Nissan Sentra driven by Adan Negron-Morris, 42. Negron-Morris fled the scene but was later arrested and charged with leaving the scene of a crash causing death and vehicular homicide.

Why it matters

The tragic incident highlights the dangers of reckless driving and the need for improved road safety measures, especially in areas with high pedestrian traffic. It also raises questions about mental health support and intervention for individuals like Negron-Morris who may be struggling with issues that lead to such devastating consequences.

The details

According to police, Negron-Morris was driving the Nissan Sentra at a high rate of speed with its lights off when he struck Kongduang and Laowatdhanasapya as they were crossing the street near 73rd Street. The impact launched the victims into the air, and they suffered serious injuries, later dying at the hospital. Negron-Morris continued driving for about a block before running into a nearby Walgreens, where a witness alerted police to his location. Negron-Morris told investigators he was suffering from mental illness and intended to take his own life by crashing the vehicle.

• The incident occurred on Wednesday night.
• Kongduang was an enrolled student at Indiana University.
• Laowatdhanasapya graduated from Indiana University in 2024.

What’s next

Police are investigating Negron-Morris's possible involvement in a second hit-and-run incident that happened nearby.