MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – Three people were killed Tuesday morning after the driver of a Range Rover failed to pull over for a police officer and then crashed into the victims’ car, authorities said.
The crash occurred just before 6 a.m. at the intersection of Sunset Drive and Southwest 92nd Avenue.
According to authorities, a white Range Rover was speeding on the Palmetto Expressway before exiting onto Sunset Drive.
A South Miami police officer attempted to pull over the SUV, but the driver of the Range Rover failed to stop before crashing into a Kia sedan with three people inside, authorities said.
“What we’ve been told is that once that vehicle failed to stop, that’s when the South Miami officer made a U-turn and just let that vehicle continue to go westbound,” Detective Alvaro Zabaleta said.
Police said all three people inside the car were killed, one of whom was ejected from the vehicle.
“Our hearts go out to the family. It’s a very sad day to report something like this,” Zabaleta said.
Authorities confirmed that the driver of the Range Rover was taken to Kendall Regional Medical Center as a trauma alert. Police said alcohol is believed to have been a factor in the crash.
“Alcohol is a factor in this particular situation, and our investigators are also pursuing a DUI component,” Zabaleta said.
A man who lives just one block away from the scene told Local 10 News reporter Trent Kelly that he heard the impact from inside his home.
He said speeding has always been a problem at the intersection and wishes there was more enforcement of the speed limit.
The identity of the driver who caused the collision has not yet been released.
Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact Miami-Dade CrimeStoppers 305-471-8477.