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David M. Benenfeld, P.A.
7800 W. Oakland Park Boulevard
Building F
Suite 216
Sunrise, FL 33351
Phone: (954) 677-0155
Fax: (954) 677-0773

Dade and Broward County Injury News

Miami Beach Cop Allegedly Drinking: Injures 3 in ATV Crash

Posted on Jul 15, 2011

Early July 3, 2011 at approximately 5:15 a.m. near Fourth Street on the sands of South Beach, authorities say a Miami Beach police officer struck two people with his department ATV. He was allegedly drinking on the job and joyriding with a woman at the time of the crash.

According to Miami Beach Police Chief Carlos Noriega, the officer involved in the crash, was supposed to be patrolling the beach Sunday because of a recent spate of thefts. “I was told he lost control and struck a couple people on the beach,” he said.

Noriega acknowledged that police and investigators with the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office are looking into allegations that the officer had been drinking Sunday morning at a bar at The Clevelander hotel on Ocean Drive with another officer. He also confirmed that investigators are looking into whether the officer was riding at the time of the crash with a female passenger whom he had allegedly picked up at the bar.

“We have not been able to prove that he, in fact, was drinking as of yet,” Noriega said. “And if I could confirm that, I would fire him right now.”

A man and a woman were struck by the officer on the ATV. Police spokeswoman Officer Deborah Doty said that afterward three people were taken to the hospital.

One woman was taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center. The other man and woman were taken to Mount Sinai Medical Center. The woman was treated and released. A police press release stated that all three injured in the crash were civilians.

City manager Jorge Gonzalez said “This is a complete abandonment of common sense.” Gonzalez said Noriega told him Sunday morning that investigators were awaiting the results of blood tests to determine whether the officer was drunk.

Mayor Matti Herrera Bower said “I’m very upset about it. This is not something that should have happened. They’re supposed to be protecting the beach, not drinking.”

The Law Offices of David Benenfeld would like to wish the three people injured in this accident a full and quick recovery.

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David M. Benenfeld, P.A.
7800 W. Oakland Park Boulevard
Building F
Suite 216
Sunrise, FL 33351
Phone: (954) 677-0155
Fax: (954) 677-0773
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