The Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office has recently reported that Deputy Leonard Cantave, who had been struck by a vehicle while assisting at a traffic incident on the Florida Turnpike, is now showing significant recovery progress. According to WSVN, Cantave underwent surgery and is now able to breathe independently, remain awake, and recognize his family members.
The circumstances leading up to this critical incident commenced when Deputy Cantave was lending aid to Florida Highway Patrol troopers at a crash site on the Turnpike near Northwest 58th Street last Saturday. It was there that he was hit by an SUV, presumed to have been driven by 28-year-old Lonnel Brinson Jr. Brinson reportedly attempted to swerve to avoid the preexisting crash but ended up hitting Cantave instead. In a statement obtained by Local10, Brinson had admitted to having used both alcohol and marijuana prior to the incident and was driving on a suspended license at the time of the crash.
Brinson now faces a felony charge for his reckless driving that led to causing serious injury. Despite the gravity of the event, there's a collective sense of relief as the deputy shows substantial signs of improvement. He was extubated following his surgery and has made enough progress to now be awake, alert, and breathing on his own.
After being bonded out of jail, Brinson is expected to again appear in court in February for these charges.
