A late-night violent encounter spiraled into a major traffic snarl on I-95 early Tuesday when a man known to the victim carjacked her at gunpoint in West Park, leading to a high-stakes standoff with police that closed one of South Florida's key arteries. The episode began just before midnight Monday, in the 2700 block of South State Road 7, according to CBS News Miami. The Broward Sheriff's Office responded to the armed robbery call and issued an alert for the stolen vehicle and suspect.
The chase that ensued spanned through Broward to Miami-Dade county, where Miami-Dade police joined the pursuit. The fleeing suspect eventually crashed the vehicle around 3 a.m. on the I-95 off-ramp at Miami Gardens Drive, then barricaded himself inside. As a response, the southbound lanes from Ives Dairy Road to the Golden Glades were shut down, creating extensive traffic delays that reached back to Sheridan Street, WSVN reported.
On-site footage depicted a standoff scene with the suspect's vehicle surrounded by law enforcement, including the Miami-Dade Police Department's Special Response Team. Florida Highway Patrol troopers were also present, assisting with the traffic management caused by the shutdown, CBS News Miami detailed.
Amid ongoing police activity, Miami-Dade Police alerted via X that accesses to and from the I-95 Southbound at Miami Gardens Drive were closed and advised motorists to seek alternatives, including US-1, State Road 441, or the Florida Turnpike.
#TRAFFIC ALERT: 🚨 Due to police activity, the I-95 Southbound exit to Miami Gardens Drive is closed. Access to I-95 Southbound from Miami Gardens Drive is also closed. Please seek alternate routes pic.twitter.com/TfZ1bp3TnX
— Miami-Dade Police (@MiamiDadePD) April 2, 2024
