A Miami Beach police officer was still listed in critical condition Thursday after crashing an all-terrain vehicle while racing to a burglary call Wednesday evening near Ninth Street and Meridian Avenue, according to officials. The officer was rushed from the scene to a trauma facility, and the crash left two police ATVs behind as investigators moved in.
According to WSVN, the officer, described by the station as female, was on an ATV alongside at least one other officer as they responded to a reported burglary. The station reports that exclusive video appears to show her ATV attempting to pass another police ATV before it hit a curb or nearby shrubs and flipped. Miami Beach police told the station the officer was taken to Ryder Trauma Center in critical condition, and sources said she was alert and speaking as fellow officers gathered at the hospital.
The officer was transported to the Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital, one of Miami-Dade County’s Level I trauma centers. The facility is equipped with resuscitation areas, operating rooms and intensive care units, and it handles a high volume of serious injuries as the county’s primary Level I trauma hub.
Video Shows ATVs Moving Fast Before Violent Flip
Video obtained exclusively by 7News appears to show one police ATV trying to swing around another on the street before striking a curb or vegetation, according to WSVN. The station reports both ATVs were moving quickly as officers rushed to a burglary in progress, and 7News crews arrived at the scene only moments after the wreck.
ATVs Have Rocky History On Miami Beach Streets
Miami Beach has long relied on small off-road vehicles for patrols on its tight streets and busy beaches, a setup that can help officers weave through crowds and traffic but also comes with obvious risks. Those ATVs have occasionally been involved in high-profile crashes and internal reviews. Local reporting shows that officers were disciplined after a 2011 on-duty ATV crash, a case that underscored the dangers when compact vehicles are used in emergency responses. Miami New Times covered that investigation.
Investigation Underway As Department Waits For Answers
The latest crash remains under investigation, and officials have not released any additional details about the officer’s condition or a formal timeline for the inquiry. This story will be updated as authorities provide more information.
