MIAMI (WSVN) - A police-involved crash in Little Havana ended with a good Samaritan battered due to mistaken identity.
Miami Police received calls about a car driving erratically early Wednesday morning. The Nissan ended up crashing into a Miami Police cruiser, along Southwest First Street and 17th Avenue, at around 3:30 a.m.
Both the driver and the police officer were injured and transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital.
As of Wednesday afternoon, the officer, identified as 27-year-old Alexander Mena, remains in the hospital in stable condition, and officials said he has a dislocated hip and a broken arm.
The suspect, identified as 22-year-old Tommy Lazaga, is also still in the hospital and is being charged with traffic-related offenses and possible additional charges.
A good Samaritan who tried to help after the crash was badly beaten with a police gun and showed 7News his head injuries. “I was helping the guy, the injured guy,” said Juan Lopez-Martinez through a translator.
Officials said they initially tried to pull over the reckless driver but ended their pursuit after he fled and turned off his headlights. Officials said he was driving a stolen vehicle.
The driver ended up crashing into a Miami Police cruiser who was not involved in the attempted traffic stop.
Lopez-Martinez saw the crash and wanted to help but said when backup arrived on the scene, they mistook his identity.
“When police arrived, and they pointed their guns at me,” he said, “they told me to face down on the ground. I was facing down. The police officer came over and hit me in the head with his gun.”
He was later free to go after his rescue turned into injury.
On May 3, police were involved in another situation where Miami Police Officer Mario Figueroa appeared to kick a subject on the ground. Cellphone video and bodycam footage captured the scene during and after the alleged kick.
As for Wednesday’s situation, Miami Police said they want to locate the good Samaritan but said they had no record of the incident. They’ve asked 7News crews to help with finding Lopez-Martinez.
The suspect will likely be taken to jail once discharged from the hospital.
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