HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – A man claims the suspect involved in a fatal wrong way crash on I-95 used his name and gave it to police after the suspect was transported to Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood.
"I'm Paolo Lafrance, the only Paolo Lafranco I know," the man told Local 10's Neki Mohan.
Opa-locka police initially identified the suspect as 24-year-old Paolo Lafrance. Police later said Willie Dumel allegedly led officers on a chase, entered I-95 the wrong way, and hit a minivan, killing four people inside.
"He's been charged with fleeing or attempt to elude a law enforcement officer in a marked vehicle," said Opa-locka Assistant City Manager David Chiverton. "There's also other pending charges through the state attorney's office."
"The guy did a horrible thing and I think it's best that we identify properly who he is," the man said. "He's not me."
The man said his wallet was stolen four years ago, leading to someone stealing his identity.
"I want to know who it is myself so hopefully we get to the bottom of it," said the man.
Investigators said when asked, the suspect said his name was Paolo Lafrance.
The suspect suffered two broken legs in the crash.