Homestead Police Officer Arrested After Hit-and-Run Crash in Miami-Dade: What Victims Need to Know About Their Legal Rights

A Homestead police officer has been arrested in connection with a hit-and-run crash that left at least one person injured in Miami-Dade County. According to arrest records, Henry Quintero, 43, faces charges of leaving the scene of a crash after allegedly running a red light while impaired, causing a chain-reaction collision that injured multiple people.

This case has drawn significant public attention, not only because of Quintero’s position as a law enforcement officer, but also because it raises serious questions about accountability when those sworn to uphold the law allegedly break it.

According to police reports, the incident happened at the intersection of East Palm Drive and U.S. 1.

• A Ford Bronco was traveling northbound on U.S. 1 and had the green light at the intersection.
• A Honda CR-V, allegedly driven by Quintero, ran a red light at high speed and struck the Bronco.
• The Bronco overturned and collided with a Ford Mustang.
• A passenger in the Mustang suffered multiple lacerations to their arms and legs and was transported to the hospital.

Witnesses reported that after the crash, the Honda initially stopped, then made a U-turn and fled the scene. However, several witnesses followed the fleeing vehicle, captured photos, and later identified Quintero as the driver.

Traffic cameras in the area also reportedly captured the crash sequence.

When police located Quintero, they noted signs of intoxication, including slurred speech, bloodshot eyes, and the smell of alcohol. He refused to participate in field sobriety tests, declined medical treatment, and refused a blood draw, according to the arrest affidavit.

Quintero was charged with leaving the scene of a crash involving injury, a felony under Florida Statute § 316.027. Depending on the severity of the injuries, penalties for this charge can range from mandatory license revocation to prison time.

If prosecutors later add a DUI charge under Florida Statute § 316.193, Quintero could face additional fines, jail time, and permanent damage to his law enforcement career.

Beyond criminal consequences, victims injured in this crash may also pursue civil claims for damages. Florida law gives crash victims the right to recover compensation when another driver’s negligence or unlawful conduct causes harm.

Potential claims could include:

• Personal Injury Claims: The injured passenger in the Mustang may seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and long-term rehabilitation.
• Property Damage: Drivers and passengers involved in the multi-vehicle collision may claim damages for totaled or severely damaged vehicles.
• Punitive Damages: In cases involving reckless behavior — such as drunk driving or fleeing the scene — courts sometimes award punitive damages to punish particularly egregious conduct and deter similar behavior in the future.

Special Considerations When the At-Fault Driver Is a Police Officer

When the negligent party is a police officer, there are unique legal considerations:

1. Personal Liability: If Quintero was off duty and driving his own vehicle, he can be sued personally, just like any other driver.
2. City or Department Liability: If he was on duty or using a city-issued vehicle at the time, the City of Homestead or its police department may face vicarious liability under the doctrine of respondeat superior. However, Florida law caps government liability in personal injury and wrongful death cases, unless special exceptions apply.
3. Insurance Issues: Victims may pursue compensation through the officer’s personal auto insurance, their own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, or the municipality’s coverage if the department is deemed responsible.

Victims of hit-and-run crashes often face additional challenges:

• Identifying the driver
• Proving intoxication or reckless conduct
• Handling disputes with insurance companies over coverage

In this case, multiple eyewitnesses, photos, and traffic camera footage will likely play a crucial role in establishing fault. A skilled personal injury attorney can help preserve this evidence, negotiate with insurers, and pursue maximum compensation in court if necessary.

Cases like this carry broader implications beyond the courtroom. A law enforcement officer accused of drunk driving and fleeing a crash scene undermines public trust in the justice system. Regardless of profession, however, all drivers are held to the same standards under Florida law, and victims have the right to pursue justice.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a hit-and-run accident or a crash involving a reckless or impaired driver, you may be entitled to compensation. At Flanagan & Bodenheimer Injury & Wrongful Death Law Firm, our attorneys fight for victims across Miami-Dade and throughout Florida.

Call us at 305-638-4143 for a free, confidential consultation. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we win your case.