Police Chase and Crash on Ocean Drive Leads to Arrest
Chaos on Wheels: A Driver’s Reckless Night on Ocean Drive
MIAMI BEACH, FLA. – Police said a Tesla driver who refused to stop caused plenty of bedlam on South Beach’s iconic Ocean Drive, and it all came to a smashing stop, leading officers to make an arrest.
The Incident
According to the arrest report, the chaos on wheels started on a busy section of Ocean Drive, when Miami Beach Police tried pulling him over for "improperly driving … on the bicycle lane." The report further states that the suspect briefly stopped his Tesla, but "the vehicle then fled from officers northbound on Ocean Drive. The driver began to drive in a reckless manner, causing the tires to screech, and began to drive at a high rate of speed, demonstrating a complete disregard for the safety of pedestrians, as well as the bicyclist occupying the bicycle lane. It should be noted the area is highly populated with pedestrians."
The Chase and Crash
When Thomas zoomed by the Betsy Hotel and historic residential buildings, the arrest report states, he ended up "losing control of his vehicle and crashing into a parked vehicle." That vehicle was an Infiniti sedan seen with considerable damage on Ocean Drive’s eastern sidewalk.
The Aftermath
Fortunately, outside of minor injuries that Thomas suffered, nobody was hurt. The demolition derby-type drive resulted from a botched traffic stop has been seen several before on Ocean Drive.
A Pattern of Reckless Behavior
This is not the first time a driver has fled from a traffic stop on Ocean Drive. 7News covered the wild aftermath of a June 23, 2023 wreck where, police said, a driver on the run plowed into barriers before he took off running. Officers caught up with him at the nearby Loews Hotel. On July 10 of the same year, a fiasco unfolded when, detectives said, a motorcyclist zoomed away from an attempted stop, then wiped out, crashing into patrons who were trying to enjoy a nice dinner.
The Verdict
Davis Thomas, 42, appeared before Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Mindy S. Glazer, Thursday afternoon. "He fled and then crashed his car. There’s probable cause," said Glazer. Thomas was arrested for fleeing and eluding a police officer. The judge set a bond of $2,500, and Thomas has since bonded out of jail.
Conclusion
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of cooperation with law enforcement and the dangers of reckless driving. It is crucial for drivers to follow traffic laws and regulations to ensure the safety of themselves and others on the road.
FAQs
- What happened on Ocean Drive?
A driver fled from a traffic stop, leading to a high-speed chase and a crash into a parked vehicle. - Who was arrested?
Davis Thomas, 42, was arrested for fleeing and eluding a police officer. - What was the outcome?
Thomas was released on bond after being charged with a third-degree felony.
