3 in custody after crash with Miami-Dade police officer
MIAMI -- Three suspects are in custody and an officer with the Miami-Dade Police Department was taken to a local hospital following a crash Monday afternoon between the officer's cruiser and a vehicle linked to a predawn carjacking, authorities said.
According to a police spokesperson, one of the suspects was taken to a hospital for treatment while the unidentified Miami-Dade officer was taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital for evaluation.
The accident occurred after 4:30 p.m. at NW 25th Avenue and 62nd Street in northwest Miami-Dade.
Live video from the scene showed three vehicles in a lot with a truck that had tipped over on its side.
The front end of the police cruiser was severely damaged, with a front end that was nearly destroyed.
Police told CBS News Miami that the officers saw a vehicle linked to a carjacking that occurred at around 4 a.m.
CBS News Miami spoke to the carjacking victim who said he was gassing up his car in Miami Gardens when three men walked up to him and threatened to kill him.
"They told me to get on the floor, don't even look at them because if I do they will shoot me and kill me. I had some money and they took the keys and ran off."
"They shot up the area and everyone fled. I saw them pressing my keys. They saw my car lights flashing, they jumped in my car and they just took it."
Police told CBS News Miami that the officers saw the car linked to the carjacking and began following the car. They say the suspects pointed a long rifle at the officers several times during the pursuit.
Authorities say the three suspects are in the hospital in critical condition. The victim says he's not doing okay right now. He says he is traumatized by what happened.
The officer involved in the crash was transported to the hospital with a concussion but was later released.
The collision with the Miami-Dade officer occurred when the suspects ran a red light at NW 25th Avenue and 62nd Street, crashing into the law enforcement vehicle.
Police have not identified the three suspects who are facing charges.