On Saturday, dozens of family members and friends crowded the Homestead intersection of Southwest 288th Street and South Dixie Highway, turning a roadside memorial into a public call for justice in the death of 24-year-old Albert Montoto.
The memorial, marked with teddy bears, flowers and hand-lettered signs declaring “Justice for Albert,” has become a standing gathering spot for relatives who say they are still waiting for real accountability. At the rally, Montoto’s mother and girlfriend spoke to the crowd, pleading with prosecutors to go beyond what the family says is the only action taken so far: a traffic citation.
As reported by WPLG Local 10, the gathering came 68 days after the crash at that same intersection, where loved ones say Montoto was ejected from a tow truck. His obituary lists his date of death as Feb. 16, 2026, two days after his 24th birthday, and notes that funeral services were held in Miami, according to Dignity Memorial.
Investigative reporting by NBC 6 says the family shared a crash report that reads, “vehicle one failed to stop at a solid red light and its front bumper area crashed into vehicle two.” The same report notes that Montoto’s brother-in-law remains hospitalized after the rollover, and that prosecutors are still reviewing the case.
Relatives say the driver found to be at fault has so far only received a traffic citation. They are urging Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle to file criminal charges, telling reporters that a ticket feels wildly inadequate for what they describe as reckless driving. The family is also pushing for tougher rules for drivers with multiple violations, according to WPLG Local 10.
How Florida Law Treats Deadly Crashes
Under Florida law, “vehicular homicide” is defined as the killing of a person by operating a vehicle in a reckless manner and is typically a second degree felony. It can be elevated if the driver fails to stop and render aid, according to the Florida Senate. Prosecutors can also bring manslaughter charges when a death results from culpable negligence, as outlined by the Florida Senate. Those statutes set the bar prosecutors must clear with crash reports, witness accounts and other evidence before filing criminal charges.
NBC 6 reported that the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office stated, “A traffic fatality alone does not mean that a violation of Florida’s criminal statutes has occurred,” and that the investigation remains open. Montoto’s family says it will keep pressing for charges and for legislative changes until, in their view, the response amounts to something more than a single ticket.
