MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – Detective Victor Manuel Montalvo crashed the unmarked Miami-Dade Police Department car he was driving into a marked police cruiser while driving drunk, according to his colleagues.
The police officer who was injured reported having to draw his side-arm and order Montalvo, 43, at gunpoint to drop his department-issued gun after he pulled it out from his waistband.
According to the police report, Montalvo later confessed: “I drank too much!”
The crash was shortly after 12:40 p.m., on Tuesday in the area of Southwest 72 Street, better known as Sunset Drive, and 144 Avenue in Kendale Lakes, according to his colleagues.
Montalvo and the officer who was protecting road workers both suffered non-life-threatening injuries, according to Detective Andre D. Martin, a spokesman for MDPD.
Correctional officers booked Montalvo at about 11:50 p.m., at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. He was facing charges of DUI and DUI with property damage.
Montalvo’s bond was set at $2,000. Corrections released him on Wednesday through a back door at TGKCC, and he ran to a sports utility vehicle to avoid answering questions.
“I am disheartened by the recent incident involving one of my officers who was arrested for driving under the influence, while on duty,” MDPD Director Stephanie V. Daniels said in a statement released by Martin.
Daniels also said Montalvo’s actions do not reflect the core values of the department.
“The officer has been relieved of duty and we will continue to work with the State Attorney’s office throughout the judicial process,” Daniels said.
For information about how to get help for alcohol or substance abuse, call 1-800-662-4357 or visit this federal government page.
Detectives asked anyone with information about this or other cases to call Miami-Dade County Crime Stoppers at 305-471-8477.
Local 10 News Photojournalist Tim McFarland and Assignment Desk Editor Wilson Louis contributed to this report.
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