Officer Dies After ATV Crash In Southwest Miami-Dade
Follow CBSMIAMI.COM: Facebook | Twitter
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – A Miami-Dade police officer died Wednesday afternoon after his ATV crashed against a tree in Southwest Miami-Dade.
The Miami-Dade Police Department responded to the scene at 211th Street and South Dixie Highway at approximately 3 p.m.
Chopper4 was over the scene and saw a badly damaged all-terrain vehicle that appeared to have impacted a tree.
The officer was transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital South in serious condition, where he was later pronounced dead.
"Unfortunately we're here today to talk about a tragedy that occurred in our department to one of the officers that protects our communities," said Miami-Dade Police Director Juan Perez said, pausing periodically to fight back tears while speaking to the media outside the hospital.
He said the officer was operating an ATV vehicle while handling a complaint about illegal activity in the area that was received during a citizens' advisory committee meeting.
Full comments from Miami-Dade Police Director Juan Perez:
Perez described the illegal activity as nuisance-type activities and some thefts.
"During one of the attempted enforcement actions where the officer was trying to get to another location where he was being summoned to, he had an unfortunate accident that is currently under investigation so it will reveal what actually occurred," he said.
Perez said they haven't shared the officers name yet because they're still in the process of notifying next of kin.
He said the officer was a devoted father and husband.
Just after 7 p.m., a large police procession followed the officer's body as it was transported from Jackson Memorial South to the medical examiner's office.
The procession of police cruisers with their lights flashing is a tradition honoring officers and firefighters who died in the line of duty.
