Videos show FHP trooper chasing Maserati before head-on crash with Miami Gardens police car

Florida Highway Patrol releases videos recorded during chase of armed 20-year-old man

MIAMI – A Florida Highway Patrol trooper reacted swiftly to the erratic moves of the reckless driver of a black Maserati Ghibli while reporting on their location in Miami Gardens — all while his K-9 barked loudly.

FHP released five videos on Tuesday that were recorded from the trooper’s vehicle during his pursuit on Dec. 27 of a 20-year-old driver whom detectives later identified as Rodrigo Perez.

Detectives reported Perez had a loaded black Glock 17 with an extended magazine that had 31 live rounds of 9mm ammunition, according to the police arrest report.

The pursuit started in the area of Northwest 22 Avenue and 175 Street and ended with a head-on crash on the State Road 826 ramp at Northwest Seventh Avenue, records show.

Rodrigo Perez appeared in Miami-Dade County court on Tuesday and was held without bond. (Copyright 2023 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved.)

Police officers arrested Perez who did not stop at red lights, and drove over a grassy median to go the wrong way before crashing into an unmarked police car, according to the arrest report.

Perez opened the driver’s side door while holding the Glock with his right hand, and dropped it onto the floorboard of the Maserati, according to the arrest form.

The FHP dash cam videos show when two police officers who were wearing bulletproof vests ran toward the Maserati and quickly pulled Perez out of it.

Perez is facing charges of fleeing and eluding police, aggravated battery with great bodily harm, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, fleeing and eluding a police car with lights and siren, aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, openly carrying a weapon and reckless driving.

FHP did not identify the trooper on the videos.

Detectives were asking anyone with information about the case to call Miami-Dade County Crime Stoppers at 305-471-8477.

FHP dash cam videos give different perspectives of the chase

Local 10 News Assignment Desk Editor Frine Gomez contributed to the report.


About the Author
Andrea Torres headshot

The Emmy Award-winning journalist joined the Local 10 News team in 2013. She wrote for the Miami Herald for more than 9 years and won a Green Eyeshade Award.

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