1 Injured, 1 In Custody After Chase Ending In Crash
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OPA-LOCKA (CBSMiami) – A police pursuit ended with a crash in Opa-Locka on Wednesday.
"When the police cornered him, he crossed over the median and that's when I struck him with my truck," said Luis Acosta, the driver of tractor trailer.
A witness said he won't forget the image of the car crushed by Acosta's tractor trailer.
"He was riding pretty fast and they were chasing him going down that way and he must have made a U-turn, came back trying to go this way, then he made another U-turn. That's when the tractor-trailer was trying to stop but he couldn't stop," said Mr. Whinche.
Police sealed off State Road 9 just North of NW 135th Street as they investigated.
Detectives said the suspect, identified as 30-year-old Jessie Wooden Jr., is connected to a jewelry robbery back in October.
Police said Wooden was captured on camera dancing while leaving the Seybold building in Miami after he and an accomplice stole cash and watches valued at $300,000.
"Most definitely we can say that we are halfway there. We still have another person who is wanted," Fallat said.
The chase started after police said they spotted Wooden at NW 12th Avenue and 95th Street.
"The driver was seen and he fled from officers. He lost control at the scene and that's when he collided with the pickup truck," Fallat said.
And before he was caught, police said the driver also rammed one of their cars.
Wooden was taken into custody, while his passenger was rushed to the hospital in critical condition.
"There are a lot of disturbing things about this case. It is unfortunate that the passenger who had nothing to do with the crime is now clinging to life," Fallat said.
Miami police said Wooden will be facing a series of state and federal charges as the FBI is involved as well.
Police are looking for his accomplice who left the jewelry store with a black bag along with the getaway driver.
If you can help police, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at (305) 471-TIPS.
