What started as a shortcut through a Raising Cane's drive‑thru in Homestead ended with a woman in handcuffs and two people nursing bruises, according to police. Investigators say 32‑year‑old Amber Nicole Collier drove the wrong way through the line, hurled threats at another driver and then used her car to hit a passenger who had stepped out of the vehicle. Officers allege Collier clipped a pickup truck while fleeing the lot and was arrested several miles away. Police say the reported victims suffered bruising but no life‑threatening injuries.
What police say
According to Homestead police, the confrontation began at the Raising Cane's on NE 8th Street after Collier allegedly pulled the wrong way into the drive‑thru and nearly hit another car. Investigators say the other driver followed her to a stop sign and told Collier to “drive more carefully.” That remark, police allege, prompted Collier to whip her vehicle into a U‑turn and drive toward the car.
A passenger got out of the other vehicle and was hit in the arm as Collier drove past, leaving the person with bruising, officers say. Collier then left the scene and, in the process, struck a Dodge Ram in the parking lot, according to police. As reported by Local 10, officers later tracked Collier down several miles away and took her into custody.
Alleged threats and arrest
An arrest affidavit paints an even more heated picture of the exchange. Police say Collier shouted, “you're a rapist and a c—; I'm going to kill you,” before trying to drive at the other car. According to investigators, she missed, hit a curb, then turned her vehicle toward the passenger who had gotten out and struck her as she drove by.
Officers ultimately pulled Collier over a few miles from the restaurant and transported her to the Miami‑Dade County jail. The first victim told police she feared for her life during the confrontation, as detailed by Shore News Network.
Charges and booking
Investigators say Collier is facing counts of attempted aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and leaving the scene of a crash causing property damage. News reports state she was booked into the Miami‑Dade jail and held on a $7,500 bond while prosecutors review the case.
Authorities will decide on formal charges after reviewing the arrest affidavit and related evidence, with additional details reported by Law&Crime.
Background and similar incidents
Court and arrest records show Collier was taken into custody in April after a separate traffic incident involving driving through a school zone, according to earlier reporting. That earlier stop reportedly escalated into heated exchanges with deputies before she was arrested.
Police and court dockets place this Raising Cane's case among a series of fast‑food drive‑thru confrontations in South Florida this year, including an April arrest in Palmetto Bay after an alleged assault at a McDonald's drive‑thru, as reported by NBC 6.
Legal implications
Under Florida law, aggravated battery that involves the use of a deadly weapon is classified as a second‑degree felony. State statutes on leaving the scene of a crash spell out drivers' responsibilities after collisions, including those that only cause property damage. Penalties can range from misdemeanors to felonies depending on the level of injury and harm.
The precise definitions and potential prison terms are laid out in Florida's statutes, including the section on aggravated battery (Florida Legislature — 784.045) and the provisions governing crash reporting and leaving a scene that involves property damage (Florida Senate — 316.061).
What's next
Jail records indicate Collier is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday, according to Shore News Network. The Homestead Police Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment. This story will be updated if officials or Collier's attorney provide additional statements.
