Driver In Deadly 11-Car Crash Placed On Paid Leave
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- The driver of a dump truck involved in a deadly 11-car crash in Miami has been placed on paid administrative leave.
City of Miami officials said Larry Ellis was driving the dump truck that slammed into the back of a yellow taxi cab on Friday killing 69- year old Pamela Kay Plummer and injuring ten others.
Officials said Ellis, who has been a city employee for 20 years, will remain on paid leave pending the results of the investigation.
Investigators said the Ellis was heading East when the truck slammed into the taxi which was heading in the same direction.
Video from a nearby business showed the dramatic collision at the intersection of N.W. 17th Avenue and 7th Street. The truck was seemingly unable to stop while a number of cars were waiting at the red light.
The impact sent nine other vehicles spinning and colliding with one another - including a motor scooter and shuttle bus.
As of Saturday, four victims were in serious condition; the taxi driver, the dump truck driver and two passengers in another car.
Meantime, homicide detectives are trying to find out what caused the truck driver to lose control of the dump truck.
The truck was secured over the weekend. Florida Highway Patrol will be ordering a mechanical review of the vehicle.
