Dec 30, 2006 12:00 am US/Eastern
DUI Driver Crashes Into Drag Racing Accident Scene
Police charged 36-year-old Vincent Murillo With DUI
The driver of the Corvette, Alejandro Morera, died
MIAMI (CBS4) ―
A car accident that may have involved drag racing on the Don Shula Expressway killed one driver Thursday evening, and ironically a DUI suspect plowed into the accident as police investigated, trying to speed away from the scene in front of TV cameras.
Authorities say 27-year-old Alejandro Morera was driving a Corvette north on the expressway when he apparently lost control, crossed the median and hit a nearby pickup truck. The driver of the Corvette was ejected from the car and was pronounced dead on the scene. Florida Highway Patrol officials say no one in the pick-up truck was injured.
Witnesses told police that the Corvette appeared to be with another car. The southbound lane of the expressway was closed for several hours. Police used cones and flares to divert oncoming traffic.
To make matters worse, a 2006 Volkswagen crashed into a Road Ranger vehicle at the investigation scene. The driver of that car, 36-year-old Vincent Murillo, attempted to speed away from the scene and was caught on TV cameras. Troopers caught up with him, arrested him and charged him with a DUI.
''This accident represents all of the most unsafe things you can do as a driver -- drag racing, not wearing your seat belt and driving under the influence,'' Lt. Pat Santangelo of the Florida Highway Patrol told our news partner
The Miami Herald.
CBS4's
Ted Scouten reported that cameras caught the entire incident on tape and that police will be extra vigilant over the next few days because of New Year's Eve festivities. As is, police in South Florida have boasted of a holiday season with a low number of DUI fatalities and they plan on keeping it that way during the New Year's celebration with increased patrols and enforcement.
(© MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
