An early morning on the Sawgrass Expressway took a violent turn Tuesday when a pedestrian was struck by an SUV and then retaliated with a physical attack on the driver. The incident, as reported by Local 10 News, occurred around 3:46 a.m. near mile marker 18.
According to Florida Highway Patrol Lt. Indiana Miranda, the pedestrian, identified as Nevna Paishann Rhodes, 70, was walking in the expressway's northbound lanes when the vehicle, attempting to avoid her, only managed to partially collide with her. After the collision caused by the evasive movement, the vehicle crashed into a guardrail and came to a stop, NBC Miami describes. The aftermath of the crash saw an untraditional response from Rhodes, who attacked the driver upon entering the SUV through the passenger door.
Rhodes' aggressive battery included clawing at the victim’s face and an attempt "to gouge the victim’s right eye," in a statement obtained by Local 10 News. In self-defense, the victim bit Rhodes, leading her to flee. The chaos didn’t stop there, as Rhodes became trapped after she entered a drainage culvert that travels under the expressway, requiring rescue.
Both Rhodes and the driver, whose name has yet to be released to the public, were transported to local hospitals for treatment. Rhodes faces charges, among the latter is burglary with battery and possession of methamphetamine, after police found a purse containing a pipe with cannabis and a white powder that tested positive for meth. Aerial footage captured by NBC Miami illustrated a significantly damaged black SUV and a notable backup of traffic due to the northbound lane closures necessitated by the investigation.
