A Florida International University PhD student struck in a hit-and-run in broad daylight has died, police report.
Friday at 4 p.m. Melita Jaric, 43, was crossing SW 11th Street in South Miami-Dade on foot when she was hit by a car whose driver fled the scene.
Police released the disturbing 911 call, in which frantic neighbors describe Jaric "taking deep gasping breaths" through the blood.
Jaric was transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital's Ryder Trauma Center in critical condition.
Her sister, Natasa, told CBS 6 that the hit-and-run left Jaric in a coma with a fractured skull, brain swelling, and a severely fractured arm.
Monday police say Jaric succumbed to her injuries.
Neighbors liken the 4200 block where Jaric was fatally hit to a "racetrack," according to CBS 6.
Hit-and-runs like the one that took Jaric's life are all too common in Miami-Dade, which ranks highest in Florida for such incidents.
The 305 averaged 35 hit-and-runs per day in 2012 with a yearly total of 12,813.
An accident involving a fatality can be as little as a citation, WSVN reports, but if a driver flees the scene, he or she may be sentenced to as many as 30 years in state prison.
UPDATE, 7:25 P.M.: FIU president Mark B. Rosenberg issued a statement on Jaric's passing that read, in part, "Melita Jaric was a bright doctoral student with a promising future that was cut short by this senseless tragedy. She used her analytical and computer skills to do important research for the benefit of people suffering from lung disease. She was driven, dedicated and curious about the world. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family during this difficult time.”
HOW YOU CAN HELP: Police urge anyone with information regarding this incident to contact CrimeStoppers at (305) 471-TIPS (8477) or (866) 471-8477.