In a shocking incident, James Bailey, the husband of former actress and model Devon Aoki, has been charged with a hit-and-run after allegedly running over a scooter rider's foot and fleeing the scene. The event occurred in Coral Gables, Florida, this week, leading to Bailey's arrest and subsequent release on bond.
The Shocking Coral Gables Incident
On Monday, James Bailey, 40, was driving his white Audi SQ7 SUV when he allegedly struck a man on a stand-up scooter in a crosswalk. According to a report by Local 10, the unidentified victim sustained serious injuries, including two foot fractures and a large contusion on his left calf.
A distressing video of the event shows the victim's foot trapped under the front tyre of the Audi. The rider is seen slapping the vehicle's hood in pain, pleading for Bailey to move the car. The victim's girlfriend was also present, frantically asking Bailey to reverse the SUV to free the man's foot.
Instead of helping, the Audi reversed, knocking the rider to the ground. The vehicle then backed up and accelerated forward, running over the scooter itself. Bailey then sped away from the location without providing any aid, sharing his information, or reporting the crash to the police, as per the arrest report.
The Manhunt and Arrest at the $9.1 Million Mansion
Police launched a search for the driver using descriptions from the victim's girlfriend and footage from license plate readers and traffic cameras. The trail led them to the vehicle's registered address: a luxurious $9.1 million mansion in Florida shared by Bailey and Devon Aoki.
When officers arrived at the property, they were met by Aoki. The 43-year-old former actress, known for her roles in '2 Fast 2 Furious' and 'Sin City', told the police she did not know where the Audi was.
As the officers were preparing to leave, Bailey arrived at the mansion in the same Audi. A sergeant asked him to approach, but Bailey reportedly "ran away" into the house. He locked himself inside for several minutes, watching the police through the windows, before finally coming out and being taken into custody. An inspection confirmed his car had minor damage consistent with the collision.
Legal Repercussions and Aftermath
James Bailey was booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center on charges of hit-and-run causing serious bodily injury and resisting an officer without violence.
He appeared in Miami-Dade bond court on Tuesday and was released after posting a $7,500 bond. Local 10 footage captured Bailey grinning as he left the facility after his release.
Devon Aoki, who retired from the film industry after a 2016 Grammy-nominated documentary about her brother Steve Aoki, has found herself in the news again due to her husband's legal troubles. The case highlights serious consequences of leaving the scene of an accident, especially one involving injury.
