MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – A suspect in a narcotics investigation fled from police Wednesday night, leading them on a chase and crashing into several vehicles, including a marked Miami-Dade police cruiser, authorities said.
Detectives said the police chase began around 7:15 p.m. after they pulled over the suspect, identified as James Bradley Exposito, 39, who was driving a black Dodge Ram. As detectives approached the suspect’s vehicle, he tried to run them over and struck one of their vehicles as he sped away, authorities said.
Police said detectives then began chasing after Exposito, who rear-ended a white Nissan as he was approaching the intersection of Southwest 132nd Street and South Dixie Highway.
The Nissan then crashed into a black Tesla.
“The subject’s vehicle was re-directed, struck a marked MDPD vehicle, and rolled over before striking a light pole and tree,” Miami-Dade police said in a news release.
Local 10 News obtained cellphone video that was taken after the crash which showed that the Nissan and Tesla sustained heavy damage.
A Local 10 News crew was at the scene as the suspect’s pickup truck was mangled and being towed away after it slammed into the pole.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue personnel transported Exposito to Jackson South Medical Center and a woman who was driving the Nissan to Baptist Hospital. Both were in stable condition.
Police confirmed that paramedics treated both passengers of the Tesla at the scene -- a pregnant woman and a 2-year-old.
The man who was driving the Tesla and all of the officers/detectives involved in the chase were not injured, authorities said.
U.S. 1 was temporarily shut down in both directions for several hours around Southwest 132nd Street, but reopened around 11 p.m.
Police said Exposito’s charges for the incident are pending. He is also facing a number of previous charges after he was allegedly selling ecstasy and MDMA, also known as “Molly,” out of his home.
Further details about the narcotics investigation were not immediately released.
Local 10 News reporter Cody Weddle contributed to this story.