MIAMI (WSVN) - An investigation is underway after a police-involved crash left two injured in Miami’s Little Havana neighborhood.
A vehicle collided with a Miami Police cruiser along Southwest Second Street and 17th Avenue, at around 3:30 a.m., Wednesday. The police cruiser suffered extensive damage, while the second vehicle lost control and slammed into a building.
According to officials, it all started when police tried to pull over a reckless driver in a Nissan. Authorities said the driver fled and turned off his headlights, at which point the officer stopped following the vehicle.
The driver then hit another police vehicle, unrelated to the initial attempted traffic stop, and ultimately crashed into the side of a building.
Police identified the driver of the Nissan as 22-year-old Tommy Lazaga, who is in the hospital with facial lacerations.
Lazaga was charged with reckless driving, driving with a suspended license and, police say, he was driving a stolen car.
Seventeenth Avenue was shutdown at Southwest First Street but has since reopened.
Miami Police issued an update just after 7:30 a.m. on Twitter, detailing the crash.
UPDATE: investigation reveals that officers were alerted of a Nissan who was driving erratically in the area. Officers attempted to stop the driver, but the driver fled & turned off his lights. Officers discontinued stopping him. Driver crashed into an officer at SW 17 Ave & 2 St https://t.co/Dnr1lEepSk
— Miami PD (@MiamiPD) May 23, 2018
Juan Lopez Martinez told 7News that he was near the crash and tried to help the driver of the Nissan, but police mistook him for a suspect.
“I was helping the guy — the injured guy — when police arrived, and they pointed their guns at me,” said Martinez. “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.”
Martinez was seen with dried blood coming from his head.
The Miami Police officer, identified as Alexander Mena, was taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center in stable condition with a dislocated hip and broken arm.
The person inside the second vehicle was also rushed to the hospital with minor injuries.
If you have any information on this crash, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a $1,000 reward.
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