CORAL GABLES, Fla. – A crash ended Monday morning with multiple teenagers being taken into custody in Coral Gables.
Miami-Dade police said an officer patrolling the Kendall area early Monday spotted a stolen Honda Element believed to be involved in some vehicle burglaries after a homeowner called 911.
"The homeowner was observing through their video surveillance cameras that two individuals with hoodies had apparently jumped a fence and were testing the doors, trying to open their cars," Miami-Dade police spokesman Alvaro Zabaleta said.
The officer followed the SUV and attempted a traffic stop as it approached Coral Gables in the northbound lanes of U.S. Highway 1.
Police said the 16-year-old driver got scared and tried to change lanes, lost control and crashed the SUV into a tree near Oduna Court.
"When they hit the accelerator to speed up from the officers -- the road was wet from what I'm being told -- the car looses control, they start sliding sideways," Zabaleta said.
The driver and 15-year-old backseat passenger were ejected from the vehicle, authorities said.
Upon searching the SUV, police said they found a gun and several bullets inside. The gun, which authorities said was in the possession of the 15-year-old, was believed to be stolen.
Police said another 16-year-old was riding in the front passenger seat. Authorities said that young man was likely saved by his seatbelt. The two teens who were ejected from the vehicle were taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital's Ryder Trauma Center in critical condition.
All lanes of U.S. 1 were closed in both directions between Granada Boulevard and Orduna Drive during the crash investigation. All lanes have since reopened.