A 74-year-old grandmother remains on life support after an illegal immigrant allegedly struck her with his truck twice outside her Miami home, then fled the scene before hiding in a nearby shed. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has now placed a detainer on the suspect as federal authorities push for his removal from the country.
Grandmother Trapped Under Vehicle After Double Impact
Geraldine Byrd had just stepped out of her car to open her gate early Sunday morning when Tomas Raymundo Brito allegedly struck her vehicle, causing it to spin into her. His truck then hit Byrd a second time, trapping her underneath the vehicle. Neighbors heard a loud boom followed by screaming as residents rushed to help, finding Byrd pinned beneath the truck. She was airlifted to a nearby hospital where she remains in critical condition on life support.
This illegal alien HIT a 74-year-old woman with his CAR — leaving her on LIFE SUPPORT.
Tomas Reymundo Brito, from Guatemala, hit Geraldine Byrd TWICE with his truck, trapping her underneath. He then got out of the truck and fled the scene.
ICE is calling on Miami-Dade county…
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) August 6, 2026
After the collision, Brito exited his truck and ran from the scene. A family member chased him down and discovered him hiding in a shed. Following his arrest, Brito admitted to being the driver and acknowledged drinking five beers before the incident, according to authorities. He now faces charges for leaving the scene of a crash causing serious bodily injury and driving without a license.
Federal Immigration Action Triggers Custody Battle
Brito, a Guatemalan national who entered the United States illegally at an unknown date and location, is currently being held at the Miami-Dade Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. ICE lodged a detainer request the same day as his arrest. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin stated that Brito should never have been allowed in American communities or on the streets, calling for Miami-Dade officials to cooperate with federal authorities and turn him over to ICE custody for removal from the country.
Miami-Dade County confirmed it honors ICE detainer requests in accordance with law by holding individuals for the authorized 48-hour period. If ICE does not assume custody within that timeframe, the individual must be released as required by law. Florida law prohibits sanctuary policies, and Miami-Dade is not a sanctuary jurisdiction. The county participates in ICE’s 287(g) program, which allows local law enforcement to perform immigration enforcement functions.
Community Mourns Beloved Neighbor
Neighbors described Byrd as kind and friendly, someone who regularly sent birthday gifts to children in the neighborhood. Despite language barriers with some residents, Byrd maintained warm relationships throughout her community. The incident has shaken the neighborhood as residents await news of her condition while federal authorities work to ensure the suspect faces consequences beyond state charges.
They should honor the ICEdetainer after he is tried and convicted of the crimes he committed. If he is convicted and spends 20 years in an American prison. If the victim dies he should get a life sentence. Then ICE could deport his corpse back to his homeland.
Yes indeed.
Not deported until he serves a FULL prison sentence. He committed crimes. ALL ILLEGALS ARE CRIMINALS.
He should be kept in the Salvadorian prison. Get him out of America.
Number one he should not have ever been in this country. Number two when he commited his first crime police should have reported him to Home Land Security or ICE, Number three when he was picked up for not having his ankle bracelet on he should have been kept in jail. So after all of these break downs in the Dade County, Miami police departments a poor retired 74 year old lady minding her own business with intentions of living out the rest of her life & enjoying her neighbors. This guy that ran over her should have some help getting started back to where he came from, by taking him about 20 miles off coast pouring chumb around him & wishing him well.
I guess I am just an 82 year old man who does not understand the problem here. Drunk driver who caused bodily injury to another and fled the scene. Being illegal in another country is treated as a hostile act in every one of the 36 countries I have been in. We treat it as just a poor boy wanting to have a better life. That, in itself, is BS as we see the tens of thousands of illegals who are criminals in their own country. I see two charges here that either one of them could have put me (an American Citizen) in the slammer for years. I would be willing to bet that this guy has been stopped before and given a pass. That is our mistake with these illegals. If they violate our laws, kick them out with a note to their home country that the United States will reduce their foreign aid by $100,000 if they are caught here again.
This is all on Biden and his open borders.
Amen! And everyone involved should be put in prison!
More blood on Biden and Harris’ hands. AT some point these 2 have to pay for their actions..If i get drunk at a bar and then go and kill people behind the wheel, the bartender is responsible as well..Same should happen here. 10 YEARS in prison for these 2 for every illegal who commits a crime against an american citizen..HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE!!!!
I’m tired of innocent Americans and American families being shattered by these foreign criminals. It’s time to start deporting every illegal alien in this country. It makes me sick how the Democrats want to put American lives at risk not to mention the burden on our economy and welfare system. To accommodate illegal aliens.
The poor lady will probably die from her injuries. Older folk just don’t have the capacity to recover from severe injury (especially crush injuries) as younger folk. That means the family has lost their Grandmother, the kids their Meemaw and the neighborhood has lost one very sweet neighbor. This tears my heart out.
I can find no forgiveness in my heart.