A quiet evening in Coral Gables, Florida, shattered on Monday when a scooter rider was struck by an Audi SQ7, leaving him with serious injuries. The driver, authorities allege, didn’t stop – and now faces felony charges.
James Bailey, 40, a prominent investor and husband to model and actress Devon Aoki – known for her role in “2 Fast 2 Furious” – is accused of hitting the scooter rider at the intersection of Douglas Rd. and Giralda Ave. just after 5:15 p.m.
The scene was harrowing, according to police reports. The victim’s girlfriend desperately pleaded with the driver to reverse the vehicle, her boyfriend’s foot trapped beneath the tire. Yet, the driver allegedly complied briefly, then continued on, leaving the injured man behind.
Police quickly began piecing together the events. Witnesses provided a description of the vehicle, and automated license plate readers and police cameras captured the Audi’s movements. The trail led directly to a sprawling eight-bedroom mansion shared by Bailey and Aoki.
When officers arrived, Aoki reportedly stated she had no knowledge of her husband’s whereabouts or the SUV’s location. However, the situation escalated moments later as Bailey himself arrived in the vehicle.
Instead of cooperating, Bailey allegedly attempted to flee, running inside the residence and locking the front door. Officers observed him through the windows, pacing inside before eventually surrendering and being taken into custody.
A preliminary investigation revealed no indication of alcohol or drug use. The Audi itself bore minor damage, consistent with a collision involving a pedestrian on a stand-up scooter.
Bailey appeared in court on Tuesday, where a judge found probable cause to hold him on a $7,500 bond for charges of hit-and-run causing serious bodily injury and resisting arrest without violence. He was later released from jail.
The incident casts a shadow over Aoki, who retired from acting in 2009 but remains a recognizable face from the popular “Fast and Furious” franchise. Her connection to the case adds another layer of intrigue to the unfolding legal drama.
The victim, meanwhile, is recovering from two foot fractures, left to grapple with the aftermath of a collision and a driver’s alleged decision to leave him behind. The investigation continues as authorities gather further details surrounding the incident.
