Driver flees traffic stop, runs stop sign, leading to fatal crash in northwest Miami-Dade, deputies say
An investigation is underway in northwest Miami-Dade after investigators said a driver fled a traffic stop and ended up running a stop sign, leading to a fatal crash on Wednesday evening.
According to information provided by the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office, deputies with the Robbery Intervention Detail (RID) conducted a traffic stop and learned that the driver, who has been identified as 21-year-old Luis Manuel Perez, 21, had an outstanding warrant.
An Army spokesperson stated that Perez was a wanted fugitive for military desertion, defined as leaving one's duty without the intent of returning. The suspect was stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas.
According to deputies, that's when the suspect fled the traffic stop. The MDSO said that as more units responded, Perez entered a dead-end street and then turned around.
Perez then ran a stop sign near the intersection of Northwest 51st Terrace and Northwest 33rd Avenue and collided with another vehicle, causing it to flip over, according to investigators.
The MDSO said the impact of the crash then caused the vehicles to collide with an unmarked MDSO vehicle being driven by an RID deputy who was in the area looking for the suspect.
Neighbor Norman Bradley described the collision: "It just so happens that the citizen was coming out and that car was coming out and then van they collided".
"I've been living here for over 30 years," Bradley said. "This here is a street where everybody wants to see how fast their car can go".
The driver of the civilian vehicle, who hasn't been identified, was rushed to a hospital by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, where they were later pronounced dead.
Perez was taken into custody and then transported to a hospital for evaluation. The deputy, who also hasn't been identified, was treated on the scene by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue.
MDSO Traffic Homicide investigators responded to the scene and have since taken over the investigation.
No other information was released.