A 28-year-old Miami woman is now in custody after authorities say she struck a Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office deputy with her car during an early-morning patrol on April 11, leaving the deputy with serious injuries. Deputy Josh Brown was transported to HCA Florida Kendall Hospital and later required a skin graft and ankle surgery, authorities said. The suspect, identified in an arrest report as Janice Garcia, faces charges including DUI and DUI causing serious bodily injury.
Crash Details in Arrest Report
According to Local 10, the crash happened just after 3:30 a.m. on April 11 in the 8500 block of Southwest 99th Court as Deputy Brown and a partner were on patrol. Deputies said Garcia's blue Mazda MZ3 flashed its high beams and was driving close to the edge of the roadway before striking Brown as he stood outside his patrol car; the impact reportedly launched him through the air.
A member of the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office Impaired Driving Enforcement Squad told investigators Garcia said, "Tell me what my rights are," before agreeing to field sobriety tests, which she allegedly failed, according to Local 10. Blood samples taken later showed readings of .156 and .154, over Florida's legal limit, the arrest report stated.
Arrest, Booking and Court
Garcia surrendered on Sunday at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center and was booked on DUI-related charges; she is expected to appear in bond court on Monday, May 11, the arrest report shows. Prosecutors and investigators will review the file as the case moves through bond and into the State Attorney's Office.
Community Response and Next Steps
The Hispanic Police Officers Association shared an image of Deputy Brown on Instagram asking for support at his hearing; that post appears in the embed above and urged the public to keep Brown and his family in their thoughts and prayers. Authorities have not released additional details about any witness statements or whether further charges will be sought.
Prosecutors will determine final filings as the investigation continues, and police ask anyone with information about the April 11 crash to contact the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office Impaired Driving Enforcement Squad.
