Head-On Collision Kills Miccosukee Police Captain & Another Tribe Member

MIAMI (CBSMiami) - An early-morning car crash in West Miami-Dade has devastated the Miccosukee tribe.

Officials said off-duty Miccosukee police captain, Duane Billie, 37, veered into oncoming traffic on Tamiami Trail hitting another car.

It happened just after 8 a.m. about 10 miles west of Krome Avenue near where the tribe runs a casino and resort.

Billie, a father of three and nephew of the tribal chairman was killed.

The driver of the other car and also a tribal member, Teresa Osceola, 54, also died.

Florida Highway Patrol reports Billie was heading west toward the reservation and tried passing a car by veering into the opposite lane and struck a Range Rover driven by Osceola head-on.

"One of the vehicles improperly changed lanes, colliding head-on with the other vehicle," said Trooper Joe Sanchez with FHP.

Speed was a factor in the crash according to FHP, but tests will be needed to determine whether alcohol played a role.

Billie had recently been promoted to captain, according to CBS4 news partner, The Miami Herald.

He was a member of the Bird clan, the largest of the tribe.

The department enforces tribal law and also has the authority to make arrests of non-Indians on Tamiami Trail.

Watch the report, click here.

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