FDLE Will Not Investigate Pizzi Car Crash

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MIAMI LAKES (CBSMiami) -- Florida's top law enforcement agency will not be investigating a car crash involving Miami Lakes Mayor Michael Pizzi.

At about 8:30 p.m on June 15th, Pizzi rammed his car into a tree on N.W. 82nd Avenue then left the scene. Witnesses said Pizzi left for at least 45 minutes and never called police.

Following Miami- Dade Police's investigation, they decided not to charge Pizzi in the crash. That's when the town council asked the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to conduct an independent investigation and the department responded this month.

In a letter from the department, dated August 3rd, they said based on a preliminary review, they have decided "not to conduct an investigation of Mayor Pizzi's single car traffic crash."

The department had reviewed Miami-Dade Police's documentation and recordings, media reports and also spoke with the State Attorney's Office. They said their decision on the matter was "based upon the fact that from all accounts, Mayor Pizzi's single car traffic crash was thoroughly investigated."

The letter goes on to say the department "found no criminal predicate which would warrant any involvement by the FDLE."

While the department has decided not to investigate the case, they did say that if any new information in the case arises please forward it to Miami-Dade Police.

Pizzi, who famously pumped his fists after beating federal corruption charges, is once again declaring victory.

"I consider this an exoneration of myself," he told CBS4's Carey Codd.

He also praised the town's police force.

"I'm most happy that our local police, who risk their lives every day, have been vindicated," he said.

Pizzi said the letter from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement should end questions about his actions on the night of the crash.

"FDLE found no impropriety on my part," he said. "They found no special treatment."

As CBS4 first reported last month, a 911 caller said the driver of the car left the scene in a hurry.

"There's a car that just had an accident with a tree and he left, running," the caller said.

The manager at Cancun's Restaurant confirmed to CBS4 News that Pizzi was in the bar area of the business before the crash.

Pizzi denied drinking and did not want to talk about the restaurant on Wednesday or his assertion that he lives a few blocks from the scene when he really lives nearly three quarters of a mile away, CBS4 found.

"I'm not going to be forced to revisit and re-explain a car accident with no property damage, no traffic tickets, no other cars involved," Pizzi said.

Pizzi is used to scandal. He was acquitted of federal corruption charges, fought the town to earn his mayoral seat back and now the accident. He blamed the hubbub over the accident to politics, specifically people unhappy that he got his job back. He says his goal is to focus on town business.

"I have been investigated enough," he said. "Please leave me and my family alone."