SUV Crashes Into Group of Miami Bike Patrol Officers

As a Bicycle Accident Attorney I have repeatedly said that bicycle accidents in MIami are far too common. On Thursday morning a group of Miami Police Officers learned first hand just how dangerous it can be to ride in MIami when a woman in a black SUV plowed into a line of cops on bikes Thursday morning, injuring three officers.

As reported by The Miami Herald, the Miami officers were part of a group in a bicycle certification program and were headed south on 27th Avenue when Teresa Quintanilla, 56, driving a Honda CRV crashed into the bike formation.

She hit three officers, including Renee Beaudry, 44, who was lifted onto the hood of Quintanilla’s vehicle and smashed the windshield on impact. Also injured were Richard Diaz, 41, and Miguel Mercado, 47.

Diaz was discharged Thursday but Beaudry and Mercado were still hospitalized in stable condition late Thursday, Reyes said.

The police were training as part of a week-long course for the bicycle squad, and there’s an officer in a patrol car who stays ahead of the pack and stops traffic when the cops need to cross streets-a luxury other cyclist in Florida do not enjoy.

In 2009 approximately 630 people died in bicycle/motor vehicle crashes in the United States. That equates to just under two people per day. At least 51,000 cyclist were injured in 2009.

The key to reducing bicycle deaths and injuries is to raise public awareness about cycling. Motorist must learn to share the road.

In addition, the amount of bicycle lanes must increase.