Driver accused of killing 3 in Miami Beach area hit-and-run lost his license in 2016

David J. Neal
·2 min read

A man who Miami-Dade police say ignited a fiery hit-and-run crash that killed three people has a history of fleeing and eluding officers, hasn’t had a driver’s license since 2016 and still owes $1,404 in traffic fines.

According to Miami-Dade police, 24-year-old Julius Bernstein was “driving at a high rate of speed” west on the 79th Street Causeway in North Bay Village when he smashed into a car turning left from the eastbound lanes at Harbor Island Drive. Two passengers in that car were killed instantly and a third died after being taken to a hospital in the causeway crash between Miami and Miami Beach.

Julius Bernstein
Julius Bernstein

Meanwhile, police say, Bernstein jumped out of his car and ran. He’s got a history of running.

Speeding, fleeing and other reckless Bernstein behavior

Florida Department of Corrections records say Bernstein is serving a three-year probation after convictions on three counts of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer; three counts of fleeing law enforcement with no regard for safety of people or property; three counts of tampering with an electronic monitoring device; three counts of resisting an officer with violence; and three counts of resisting an officer without violence.

His last known location is listed by the Department of Corrections as Volusia County. State records link Bernstein to Hair Gallery 8 USA, a company that had a Volusia County (Port Orange) operating address but listed vice president Bernstein with a Southwest 122nd Place address in Homestead.

Another photo of Julius Bernstein, who was on probation from several charges, such as fleeing and eluding, aggravated assault on a cop or firefighter and tampering with an electronic monitoring device.
Another photo of Julius Bernstein, who was on probation from several charges, such as fleeing and eluding, aggravated assault on a cop or firefighter and tampering with an electronic monitoring device.

Those convictions stem from encounters with police on May 2, 2019, and Aug. 17, 2020. By that point, Bernstein had long since lost his driving privileges. From online Miami-Dade traffic records:

▪ On May 4, 2016, Bernstein got caught doing 50 mph in a 30 mph zone. He was fined $310. When he didn’t pay and didn’t show up for hearings, his debt grew to $403.

▪ On June 11, 2016, Palmetto Bay police busted Bernstein doing 60 mph in a 45 mph zone and being on a learner’s permit without an accompanying driver. He was fined $285 for the speeding and $192 for the learner’s permit violation. That $487 is now He now owes $620.10 and his license was suspended on Aug. 30, 2016.

▪ On Oct. 11, 2016, Bernstein blew a red light in Miami Gardens. That $293 ticket is now a $380.90 debt.

Anyone who knows Bernstein’s whereabouts can contact Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers online or at 305-471-8477 (TIPS).