A Miami Gardens Police officer and two others were hospitalized following a DUI crash early Tuesday morning, which has since led to drug trafficking charges, as reported by WSVN. The incident unfolded when a black Dodge Charger ran a red light and collided with the officer's SUV. The officer, described as a four-year department veteran, is in stable condition but suffers from injuries that may require surgery. Surveillance video released by the authorities captured the Charger blasting through the intersection at 27th Avenue and 167th Street, leading the police vehicle to spin several times before it came to a halt.
Luis Andrew James, the 36-year-old driver of the Dodge Charger, is up against several legal setbacks following the crash that trapped a police officer and caused his car to catch fire with two passengers inside. According to MSN, James displayed signs of impairment, including slurred speech and a strong odor of alcohol. Inside the vehicle, police found baggies containing 162.9 grams of crack cocaine and 750 grams of marijuana.
"The driver of a black Dodge Charger ran a steady red traffic signal, causing the police vehicle to crash into the passenger side of the black Charger," said Miami Gardens Police Chief Delma Noel-Pratt. Further commenting on the severity of the incident, Noel-Pratt emphasized, "We will not tolerate reckless disregard for traffic laws in this city under any circumstance." James has been faced with charges including DUI, serious bodily injury, and drug trafficking. Post-arrest, James bonded out and is awaiting a court appearance.
The officer rescued James and the occupants from the capsized vehicle. Following the crash, despite his refusal to provide a blood sample, James now faces serious legal charges. After being treated and released from the hospital, the injured officer still faces the possibility of surgery to mend injuries sustained in the line of duty, while the conditions of the other crash victims vary, with one reported to be in critical condition.
Bond has been set at a cumulative $55,000 for the charges against James, which include cocaine trafficking and cannabis possession with the intent to sell.
