Charges pending against driver in fatal crash

Police: Jonathan Eismann trying to flee crash hits, kills Juan Carlos Ruiz

NORTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, Fla. – Charges are pending against a driver who hit and killed a pedestrian in northwest Miami-Dade, said police.

The crash happened at Northwest 3rd Street and 72nd Avenue about 8:47 a.m. Wednesday.

According to police, Jonathan Eismann, 51, was driving a Ford Explorer when he was involved in a crash with a Nissan Sentra at Northwest 1st Terrace and 72nd Avenue.

As Eismann tried to flee the crash scene, he lost control and hit Juan Carlos Ruiz, 29, who was walking on the sidewalk, police said.

Police said Ruiz was pronounced dead on the scene.

Eismann was transported in stable condition. Police said charges against him are pending.

Investigators said the driver of the Nissan was uninjured.

Eismann is a former South Florida business man who once owned a handful of restaurants. A Google search of his name pulls up published reports documenting the rise, and eventual fall, of the chef's restaurant empire.

Eismann was also reportedly having problems trying to pay the mortgage on his pricey Miami Beach waterfront home.