An off-duty 26 -year-old Miami-Dade Police Department Officer was arrested for fleeing from Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Deputies on U.S. 1 early Sunday morning.
Donovan William Rojas was charged with fleeing and eluding and DUI.
Deputy Joel Torres observed a Chrysler 300 speeding northbound on U.S. 1 near Mile Marker 101 at approximately 3:57 a.m. Deputy Torres activated his lights and siren and attempted a traffic stop as the Chrysler reached speeds greater than 110 mph.
The Chrysler continued to speed northbound and failed to stop for additional Deputies who also activated their lights and sirens.
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The Chrysler also failed to maintain its lane, swerved and nearly struck other vehicles until finally slowing and stopping near Mile Marker 105.
The driver, Rojas, identified himself as a member of the Miami-Dade Police Department and the Chrysler as his unmarked agency vehicle.
Once Rojas’ vehicle was stopped, Deputies observed emergency lights activated on the visor of the Chrysler. The emergency lights were only visible from the windshield of the unmarked vehicle. Deputies did not see the emergency lights during the pursuit.
“I want to thank my officers for acting quickly in this case,” said Sheriff Rick Ramsay. “Though this suspect’s behavior put his life, innocent civilian lives, and the lives of my officers in danger, I view this as a singular case and not indicative of the Miami-Dade Police Department as a whole, which remains a close and important law enforcement partner to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.”
Rojas had difficulty standing and appeared to be intoxicated and was booked in the county jail.
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