A seemingly routine traffic accident spiraled into a chaotic scene involving fleeing vehicles, unlicensed drivers, and ultimately, arrests and immigration detainers, according to the Martin County Sheriff’s Office. The incident, which unfolded on local roadways, took a series of unexpected turns.
MCSO investigators said on Friday that the initial incident involved a van, driven by 34-year-old Enrique De Jesus Cante-Gomez of Miami, being rear-ended by another vehicle.
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However, instead of remaining at the scene to exchange information, Cante-Gomez and one of his passengers fled in the damaged van. A third passenger, traveling in a separate car that was accompanying the van, also fled the scene.
Deputies quickly located Cante-Gomez driving the damaged van southbound. It was discovered that he did not possess a valid Florida driver’s license and had never obtained one.
Adding to the bizarre sequence of events, the car that had fled alongside the van was also located. Inside, deputies found the third passenger and the driver, 28-year-old Victor Alexander Perez-Ruiz, also of Miami. Perez-Ruiz was also found to be driving without a valid driver’s license.
Cante-Gomez was arrested and charged with leaving the scene of a crash and driving without a valid license. Perez-Ruiz was arrested for driving without a valid driver’s license.
The passenger who was left without transportation made several calls and eventually found a ride home.
However, the legal troubles did not end there for Cante-Gomez and Perez-Ruiz. Both individuals were placed on an ICE detainer, indicating that they will be turned over to immigration services.
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