Florida City police officer released from hospital following crash on Krome Avenue
MIAMI - A Florida City police officer was injured in a crash Tuesday evening.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue units responded to the crash in the area of 1201 North Krome Ave.
According to Florida City police, the sergeant was inside his vehicle when another vehicle traveling southbound veered off the road and hit him head-on.
"Other officers on the scene had to jump out of the path of the oncoming vehicle to avoid being struck, and were able to assist the sergeant and detain the other driver who at this time appears to be under the influence," police said in a statement.
The injured officer was airlifted to Jackson Memorial South Medical Center and later released with minor injuries.
The driver who hit him, 19-year-old Giovanni Mendez-Simon, has been charged with driving under the influence, DUI with damage to property or person, and driving without a valid license.
January is Move Over Awareness Month.
The Florida Highway Patrol reminds drivers to be careful and follow the law when emergency vehicles or disabled vehicles are on the side of the roadway.
The state's Move Over Law requires drivers to move over a lane when it is safe to do so for law enforcement or other official vehicles stopped on the road. The law was recently amended to include any disabled vehicles on the side of the road with their hazard lights on or other emergency signage.
If a driver can't move over they are required to slow down their speed to 20 mph less than the posted speed limit.